Catalase enzyme, an important compound in the body's metabolic processes

The human body is composed of many complex components that are interconnected with one another. One of the important parts that make your body's metabolism run smoothly is the enzyme catalase. Although less popular, this one enzyme turns out to have a very important role for your body. Come on , find out the function and role of the enzyme catalase here.

What is the enzyme catalase?

Catalase enzymes are molecules formed from proteins whose main function is as a catalyst. Catalyst is a process to speed up reactions in various chemical processes in the body.

This enzyme can be found in almost all living things on earth, be it animals, plants and humans. In humans, this enzyme is found in the liver.

Catalase enzymes work by breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. This enzyme prevents the build-up of hydrogen peroxide in the body and protects organelles and cellular tissues from free radicals.

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound that is continuously produced by various metabolic reactions in the body. The buildup of hydrogen peroxide can cause damage in the body because this chemical can attack important biochemicals such as protein and DNA.

What are the functions of the catalase enzyme?

1. Against free radicals

Your body can be exposed to free radicals from the surrounding environment, such as sunlight, radiation, ozone, cigarette smoke, vehicle fumes, air pollution, industrial chemicals, even the food you eat and the drinks you drink. Not only that, your body actually produces free radicals from metabolic processes in the body, for example when you breathe, exercise, and digest food.

Free radicals are chemical molecules that are unstable and highly reactive. This molecule is able to attack various other molecules in the body, such as lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins as the main targets. If allowed to continue, free radicals can cause permanent damage to cells, proteins and DNA which results in balance disorders in the body. The buildup of free radicals will make you more susceptible to infections, joint disease, cardiovascular disease, and mental disorders. Free radicals also contribute to premature aging.

Well, this is where the role of the catalase enzyme is needed. Catalase enzymes play a role in fighting the effects of free radicals in the body. This enzyme converts harmful superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide which then breaks down into oxygen and water which is beneficial for the body.

2. Mix in food ingredients

Apart from being beneficial for the body, synthetic or artificial catalase enzymes are also widely used in the food industry. The combination of the catalase enzyme with other chemical compounds can remove the hydrogen peroxide compound produced by milk, so that it can be used to produce various dairy products, such as cheese.

Not only that, catalase can also be used in food wrappers to prevent the oxidation process of the food being wrapped.

3. Contact lens cleaning fluid

Catalase is also sometimes used in contact lens cleaning products. Some types of commercially available contact lenses are actually cleaned using a hydrogen peroxide solution.

After cleaning, the contact lenses are rinsed using a solution containing the catalase enzyme so that the hydrogen peroxide compound attached to the contact lenses can decompose (decompose) before finally being used again.

4. Mix in facial mask products

Apart from being used as a cleaning agent in contact lenses, the enzyme catalase is also used in the world of beauty. This chemical compound is often used as a mixture of ingredients in several face mask products.

The use of the enzyme catalase in several face mask products has a role to help increase cell oxygenation in the top layer of facial skin (epidermis). Oxygenation functions to accelerate the regeneration of facial skin cells, so that facial skin becomes brighter and less dull.

Health conditions affected by the enzyme catalase

1. Acatalasemia

Acatalasemia is a condition that is caused when the levels of the enzyme catalase in the body are too low. The CAT gene is in charge of providing instructions for the formation of the catalase enzyme, when a mutation occurs in the CAT gene, the enzyme formation decreases and the levels in the body become low. As a result, hydrogen peroxide accumulates in the body and triggers various tissue or cell damage.

Some people affected by this disease have open sores (ulcers) in the mouth that cause soft tissue death (gangrene). Unfortunately, most people do not realize that they have acatalasemia because they generally do not cause significant symptoms. Sometimes, the symptoms that appear are similar to other diseases.

Studies show that people with acatalasemia are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those without the condition. Researchers suspect that this condition could also be a risk factor for other chronic diseases.

Even so, complications due to acatalasemia are rare because in many cases this condition can be overcome by maintaining oral health.

2. Appears gray hair

Gray hair, aka white hair, doesn't just appear because of the aging process, you know. In fact, the growth of gray hair can be triggered due to the low supply of the enzyme catalase in the body.

Research shows that gray hair is caused by a biochemical reaction in the hair cells. The process of the appearance of gray hair can be triggered when the levels of the enzyme catalase in the body decrease. Lack of the enzyme catalase causes the hydrogen peroxide compound in the hair to not be broken down.

Hydrogen peroxide is produced naturally in the human body and is a strong oxidizing and bleaching agent. Well, the buildup of hydrogen peroxide in the body is what causes hair to turn white from the inside to the outside of the hair.

So, gray hair is not only owned by the elderly. Adults, teenagers, or even children can have gray hair if the supply of the enzyme catalase in their bodies is reduced. In addition, adolescents and children are also more likely to have gray hair if they have genetic or hereditary factors. These causative factors cannot be changed, so you may have gray hair at a young age.

3. Chronic neurological disease

The buildup of free radicals in the body due to a decrease in the enzyme catalase and other antioxidant enzymes can cause damage to cell structures, including components of lipids (fat), protein, and DNA. These conditions affect the cell's mitochondria, which are the energy-forming parts of the cell.

As a result, the biochemical components of mitochondria such as proteins, lipids, and DNA will undergo an oxidation process. Well, this condition is what is called oxidative stress.

Experts suspect that the occurrence of oxidative stress in the body can trigger various chronic neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's and stroke.