Numerical simulations of the oscillatory dynamics in the Bray-Liebhafsky reaction perturbed by L-tyrosine

Abstract

It is well known that almost all living or biological systems are naturally in the oscillatory dynamic states and can be considered as biochemical reaction systems. These oscillatory dynamic states can be caused by internal self-organized phenomena, but also by external periodic variations of temperature, light, food, or seasonal changes. The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis is one such nonlinear system with feedback that is always in an oscillatory dynamic state and L-tyrosine is its main representative.

The biological importance of L-tyrosine interactions with iodine species was the motivation for modelling of the oscillatory dynamics in the Bray-Liebhafsky (BL) reaction perturbed by L-tyrosine. Also, direct experimental investigation of metabolic processes in the human body is extremely complex to be done, and therefore any alternative approach is of great importance. Therefore, the BL reaction has the potential to be used as a model of the biological system due to certain characteristics shared with the considered processes; it is characterized by its oscillatory dynamics and based on the chemistry of hydrogen peroxide and iodine compounds commonly present in the thyroid gland, where L-tyrosine is iodinated.

The impact of L-tyrosine on the dynamics of the Bray-Lienbhafsky oscillatory reaction was investigated numerically using the proposed model. The study was focused on the examination of the sensitivity of the BL reaction to L-tyrosine perturbation. The obtained results indicated possible pathways of influence.