What is AMPK?
AMPK is an enzyme that helps ensure energy is used efficiently, especially when it's in short supply. It regulates cells to avoid wasting energy and helps replenish energy quickly when it's needed.
Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
An arsonist hides inside a cat’s cells, secretly setting fires in the form of oxidative stress and inflammation. The arsonist, a harmful substance known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), stokes the flames with fuel such as stress, environment, and diet. This, in turn, produces even more ROS.
The emergence of ROS leads to cell damage and triggers further inflammation, eventually resulting in chronic diseases or aging. If the cells are on fire, it’s crucial to quickly dispatch an emergency response team to put it out.
That’s where AMPK comes in.
The Role of AMPK Activation
- Emergency Response to Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress begins when reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate in cells. When this happens, AMPK calls in a firefighter, an enzyme called NRF2¹, to battle the oxidative stress. NRF2 gathers antioxidant enzymes to extinguish the fire and protect the cells. This reduces the damage caused by ROS.
¹NRF2: A regulator of the antioxidant defense system, which induces the expression of antioxidant enzymes to protect cells from oxidative stress.
- Soothing Inflammatory Responses
Oxidative stress can lead to inflammation, but AMPK helps calm the flames of inflammation. Just as real-life firefighters ensure that no new fires break out after the first blaze is extinguished, AMPK inhibits the inflammatory pathway NF-κB², preventing inflammation from worsening. This helps to avoid chronic inflammation.
²NF-κB: A major transcription factor that regulates immune and inflammatory responses by promoting the expression of inflammatory genes.
- Cleaning Up Damaged Cells
Damaged cells or misfolded proteins, if left alone, can worsen the cell environment. AMPK acts as a cellular cleaner by promoting autophagy, a process that removes damaged cells and unnecessary proteins.
This process helps maintain a clean internal environment and supports metabolic balance. It also gives stressed cells much-needed time to heal.
Impact of AMPK Activation on Kidney Disease
In summary, AMPK's protective actions slow the progression of kidney disease and help maintain kidney health. AMPK activation reduces kidney damage in cats who have kidney disease, helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and restores metabolic balance. All of these factors help protect kidney functions.
In humans, there are several well-known methods to activate AMPK, such as exercise and intermittent fasting. For cats, resveratrol and quercetin can be consumed in appropriate amounts to activate AMPK. Ensuring that cats safely ingest these substances requires considering supplements and dosages that are suitable for them.
Greycoat Research’s Intensive Protocol includes both resveratrol and quercetin, which play a key role in activating AMPK in cats, helping maintain kidney health and managing kidney disease.