DILI: Physiology of the Liver

Question 1

The liver metabolizes what?

Answer 1

Amino acids, carbs, lipids

Question 2

What happens to amino acid metabolism in a damaged liver?

Answer 2

Increased ammonia and decreased muscle mass

Question 3

What happens to lipid metabolism in a damaged liver?

Answer 3

Increased bilirubin levels in the blood because the hepatocytes are affected

Question 4

What happens to carb metabolism in a damaged liver

Answer 4

Hypoglycemia

Question 5

The liver synthesizes what?

Answer 5

Proteins (albumin, clotting factors, immune globulins, angiotensinogen), cholesterol, TGs, thrombopoietin (platelets)

Question 6

What happens to protein synthesis in a damaged liver?

Answer 6

It decreases –> makes less clotting factors –> INR increases, decreased albumin concentrations, decreased thrombopoetin synthesis –> decreased platelets

Question 7

What happens to cholesterol in a damaged liver?

Answer 7

Synthesis of cholesterol is altered –> cell integrity is compromised with liver injury

Question 8

The liver detoxifies what?

Answer 8

food, drugs, herbals

Question 9

What happens to detoxification in a damaged liver?

Answer 9

Reduced detoxification –> impaired drug metabolism