5 Liver Biochemistry Flashcards
Cell types of the liver and fx of each (5)
Hepatocytes: main cell; metabolically active with rough ER
Cholangiocytes: line bile ducts; control bile flow rate and bile pH
Endothelial cells: line the sinusoids; allow exchange of material
Kupffer cells: macrophages
Hepatic stellate cells: storage of lipids; full of vitamin A; aid in contractility of the liver
Pit cells: NK cells; protect against viruses and tumor cells
Functions of the liver
Primary receiving, monitoring, synthesizing, modifying, distribution, and recycling center (detoxification)
Bile is secreted into the ____ in the liver.
Liver divided into lobes separated by what?
Sinusoids are in direct contact with the ____.
Bile canaliculi
Sinusoids
Hepatocytes
Carbohydrate metabolism of the liver
Glycolysis
Glycogenesis
Glucogenolysis
Gluconeogenesis
Glucostasis***: maintains a constant glucose level during fed/fasting/starvation (ketone bodies) states
Lipid metabolism of the liver
Biosynthesis and export of triacylglycerols, phospholipids, steroids (cholesterol, bile acids, bile salts), lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL, HDL)
Degrade TAG and plasma lipoproteins
Maintain concentration of free fatty acids (FFA)
Breakdown FFA by beta oxidation to release energy
Nucleotide biosynthesis
Synthesis of blood proteins like ____.
Amino acid metabolism by _____.
Bilirubin metabolism: RBC release ____ converted to _____.
Albumin, IgGs, apoproteins, fibrinogen, prothrombin, blood coagulation factors, C-reactive protein, antitrypsin, antichymotrypsin (acute phase proteins)
Degradation of AA; converting ammonia to urea
Hemoglobin; bilirubin
Waste management of the liver
Inactivation and detoxification of metabolites and xenobiotics
Liver lacks ____ junctions and basement membrane between hepatocytes and ____ cells.
Why?
Tight
Endothelial
Allow greater access and increased contact between liver and blood
5 carbon compound derived from three acetyl CoA
Fx?
Isoprenoid (IPP)
Serves a as building block for synthesis of isoprenoids like steroids, lipid-soluble vitamins, phenyl groups that attach proteins to plasma membrane
Sources of acetyl CoA
Generated in the ____.
Transported into the cytoplasm by ____ shuttle.
Oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate
Beta oxidation of FA
Breakdown of AA
Mitochondria
Citrate shuttle
What forms the backbone of the steroids?
Six units of IPP form a tetracyclic (4-ring) sterane ring
Cholesterol is a component of the ____ membrane.
Synthesize what?
Produced by what?
Biosynthesis of cholesterol is regulates by ____.
Plasma
Bile acids and bile salts, vitamin D, steroid hormones
Liver, SI, adrenal cortex, ovaries, testes, skin
Dietary intake
Phase 1 of cholesterol synthesis of cholesterol begins with two ____.
Acetoacetyl-CoA to HMG-CoA by ____.
What is the rate limiting step?
Mevalonate to ____.
Acetyl-CoA
HMG CoA synthase
HMG-CoA to Mevalonate by HMG CoA reductase***
IPP
What is the target for the regulation of cholesterol synthesis?
By what class of drugs?
What do they do?
Examples?
HMG-CoA reductase (rate limiting step)
Statins
Lower cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase
Lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, atorvastatin
Inhibitory effect of statins on cholesterol also caused increased transcription of the ____ receptor.
Caused enhanced clearance of _____ by LDL-receptor mediated endocytosis.
Mytotoxic side effects of long-term statin use are decreased formation of ____.
LDL
Cholesterol
Ubiquinone (CoQ) and prenylated proteins—> can cause myopathy and rhabdomolysis)