What Role Does Metabolic Activity Play in Disease Diagnosis?
Alterations in metabolic activity are often associated with disease states, making it a valuable diagnostic tool in histology:
Cancer: Tumors often exhibit altered metabolic pathways, such as increased glycolysis (Warburg effect), which can be detected using histological techniques. Metabolic disorders: Conditions like diabetes or metabolic syndrome can be diagnosed by observing changes in tissue metabolism, such as lipid accumulation or altered glucose metabolism. Neurodegenerative diseases: Changes in metabolic activity in nervous tissue can indicate diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Cardiovascular diseases: Altered metabolic activity in cardiac tissue can signal conditions like ischemia or heart failure.
