title: Glycolytic overload and the genesis of breast cancer.
abstract: It is suggested that the development of breast cancer is due to overloading of the glycolytic pathways. An excess of substrates or an excessive delivery rate of substrates to the Krebs Cycle is believed to result in the formation of acetyl CoA. Feedback mechanisms controlling the conversion of acetyl CoA to cholesterol may be overcome; the resulting high concentration of cholesterol induces the formation of pregnenolone which may then be converted into androgens, estrogens and progesterone. These steroids are in addition to those produced by gonads and adrenal glands. Glycolytic overload is also associated with an increase in fat stores which have been shown to be the site of interconversion of sex hormones. Excess sex hormones or abnormal sex hormones are believed to be the cause of breast cancer. The hypothesis presented links glycolytic overload with clinical biochemical phenomena and explains some of the anomalies observed in breast cancer experience in different ethnic groups. Changes in dietary habits during the history of man resulting in " gorging " and the consumption of highly refined sugars are possible causes of glycolytic overload. So, also, is impaired thermogenesis due to Brown Fat deficits in certain ethnic groups.
mesh_terms: D000105:Acetyl Coenzyme A / Q000378:metabolism; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D001940:Breast / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D002952:Citric Acid Cycle; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006019:Glycolysis; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D007328:Insulin; D000105:Acetyl Coenzyme A; D011388:Prolactin; D002784:Cholesterol