pH is a Neurally Regulated Physiological System. Increased Acidity Alters Protein Conformation and Cell Morphology and is a Significant Factor in the Onset of Diabetes and Other Common Pathologies

Abstract

Abstract:Background: The body's physiological stability is maintained by the influence of the autonomic nervous system and the dynamic interaction of the organ systems which regulate all aspects of the body's function. These physiological systems and their function have been overlooked by the genetic paradigm. A better understanding of these systems may lead to an improved understanding of the fundamental relationship involving sense perception, neural function and organ networks, and cellular and molecular biology. This article follows earlier articles by the author which illustrate that sleep, blood pressure and blood glucose are neurally regulated physiological systems. Aims:The purpose of this article is to discuss how Grakov's mathematical model of the physiological systems (i) influences the contemporary understanding of the processes which regulate the pH in biological systems i.e. that pH is a neurally regulated physiological system; (ii) is a significant factor in the emergence of changes to cell morphology and, ultimately, the onset of pathologies; and (iii) involves environmental factors more commonly associated with phenotype.Results: It considers the fundamental role played by pH e.g. regulating the levels and redox state of minerals, protein conformation, the activation of proteins and enzymes, and how this influences metabolic function. It considers the consequences of increased acidity, in particular from alcoholic beverages and acidified soft drinks, and how this influences the processes which regulate the body's physiological stability. Conclusions:The article concludes that the body's impaired ability to regulate its acidity, exascerbated by the consumption of highly acidic beverages, is a considerably underestimated factor in the subsequent development and onset of many common pathologies e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, alzheimer's disease, cancers, etc. Keywords:Cognitive, neuroregulation, top-down, systems biology, physiological systems. BACKGROUNDThe laws of chemistry characterise every chemical reaction. The prevailing reaction conditions influence the rate at which each reaction proceeds. In this article we consider whether the significance of pH has been significantly overlooked in biomedical research.Changes to the pH of a biochemical system or reaction often influences the structure of chemical components, their level, and subsequently the rate at which these components react. This determines the redox state of minerals; their ability to complex with DNA; their ability to activate enzymatic reactions; and their ability to be filtered and/or eliminated from the body. Altered pH influences protein conformation and the ability of proteins to react. It influences the characteristics of epigenetic reactions such as methylation, histone de-acetylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, etc.The body's homeostasis is maintained by neuroregulation of the various organ networks. These multiple physiological systems, their nature and structure, and the factors which *Address correspondence t...

A Neurological Perspective upon Diabetes and Obesity, What They Are, and How They Can Be Measured

“…most , consumption of acidified or alcoholic beverages, excess weight [28], lack of exercise, hyperindulgence [28], dehydration, etc. This is especially significant because sleep [29], pH [30], respiration, digestion and urination are neurally regulated physiological systems [29] [25], and the subsequent formation of antibodies. Moreover such a hypothesis considers the influence of genotype in isolation.…”

“…Either the protein reacts or it does not react. Either way, the prevailing reaction conditions must also influence this process because proteins are polar which requires that we take into account whether the protein is able to react [30] [ 40] i.e. whether it is in its coiled reactive form or not (insulin-resistance, ghrelin-resistance [41], leptin-resistance [42]); and the factors which influence its subsequent reaction with its receptor protein(s) which, in the case of insulin, is a magnesium-dependent reaction.…”

“…[40], pH must therefore be a factor in this coiling/uncoiling process [30] 8) in addition alterations of intercellular pH and in particular changes to digestive acidity leads to the accumulation of organisms/bacteria which thrive at increased levels of acidity and which may also contribute to the onset of diabetes [47] although it remains unclear whether the presence of these organisms are the cause or consequence of increased acidity.…”

A further review of the genetic and phenotypic nature of diabetes mellitus

“…Moreover, as the visceral organs are organised in discreet organ networks (physiological systems) which perform a physiologically significant function, it becomes evident that the ANS and physiological systems must work in a coherent manner regulating key physiological functions e.g. blood pressure [3], blood glucose [4], pH [5], sleep [6], posture, temperature, digestion, urination, etc. The original definition of physiological systems has been quietly refined by medical researchers, i.e.…”

“…Accordingly instability in any single physiological system will inevitably lead to instability in one or more adjacent physiological systems e.g. lack of sleep (system: sleep); excess salt (system: osmotic pressure); inadequate levels of respiration (system: breathing); excessive acidity and excessive/instability in elimination, in particular of urine (system: pH); blood pressure; each contribute to the onset of diabetes [1,[3][4][5]32].…”