Tissue Energy Metabolism
The functional capacity of any tissue is dependent on the ability to perform its work by using the ATP as an intracellular available energy source. Most of the ATP is produced by the intracellular organelle-mitochondria using the by- products of an energy substrate such as the glucose and continuous supply of oxygen molecules. Most of the oxygen is delivered to the cells by the oxygenated hemoglobin transported via the red blood cells in the capillaries. The generation of the ATP in the mitochondria is a product of oxidation-reduction reactions taking place in the inner membrane of the mitochondria by the respiratory chain enzymes.
It is possible to assess the energy state of a tissue through the knowledge of changes in the oxygen balance, i.e. the ratio of oxygen supply to oxygen demand by the tissue. Oxygen supply could be evaluated by measuring of macro circulatory blood oxygenation, microcirculatory blood flow and hemoglobin saturation. The intracellular level of mitochondrial NADH (the reduced form) is a parameter related to oxygen balance.
MDX LIFESCIENCES has developed MDXViewer. It has the significant advantage by evaluating the real energy metabolism events taking place in the mitochondria. MDX LIFESCIENCES is the sole company that is able to provide a multiparametric monitoring device Sciences is the sole company that is able to provide a multiparametric monitoring device that integrates and presents information related to oxygen balance in tissues of patients.
There are few companies that developed medical devices enabling the monitoring of blood oxygenation in patients. Masimo developed the pulse oximeter that measures the blood oxygenation level in the arteries. Also, they developed a regional oximeter for brain applications. Hutchinson developed InSpectra, a tissue oxygenation monitor of the microcirculation (muscle tissue). Medtronic acquired the “INVOS” – a product that is measuring cerebral/somatic oxygenation. All those products are providing information regarding the oxygenation of hemoglobin, but the information is not specific to the events occurred in the intracellular compartment namely, the mitochondria.