Q and A: about health and research

The Krebs cycle — also known as the citric acid cycle or tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle — is a fundamental metabolic pathway that occurs in the mitochondria of cells. It plays a central role in energy production by oxidizing acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into carbon dioxide, generating high-energy molecules such as NADH and FADH₂. These molecules feed into the electron transport chain to produce ATP, the cell’s primary energy currency. While the Krebs cycle is a universal cellular process, its dysfunction or hijacking by tumor cells, particularly in adrenal gland tumors , has significant clinical implications. The adrenal gland , especially its inner layer called the adrenal medulla , is of special interest when discussing tumors like pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma , both of which can dramatically impact catecholamine levels and cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure. The Adrenal Gland: Structure and Function The adrenal glands are small, tria...