Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism

Question 1

What is leptin?

Answer 1

A chemical produced by adipose tissue which acts on satiety centres in the hypothalamus - working to decrease appetite.
It stimulated the release of corticotrophin releasing hormone and melanocyte stimulating hormone. Obese patients have higher leptin levels

Question 2

What is gherlin?

Answer 2

A chemical released by the PD1 cells in the stomach and the pancreas that acts to stimulate hunger.

Question 3

Which vitamin helps with the absorption of iron?

Answer 3

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - It aids iron absorption in the gut by conversion of Fe3+ to Fe2+. Fe2+ is more readily absorbed by the body.

Question 4

Where is iron mostly absorbed?

Answer 4

Upper small intestine especially the duodenum

Question 5

How is iron transported around the body?

Answer 5

Carried in plasma as Fe3+ bound to transferrin

Question 6

Where is most iron found in the body?

Answer 6

Hameoglobin (70%)
Ferritin and haemosiderin (25%)
Myoglobin (4%)
Plasma iron (0.1%)