Functions of the liver - Kumar Flashcards
1
Q
What is the main function of albumin?
A
- To maintain intravascular oncotic (colloid osmotic) pressure
- Transport water-insoluble substances, e.g. bilirubin, hormones, fatty acids and drugs
2
Q
What are transport proteins are synthesised in the liver?
A
- Transferrin
- Caeruloplasmin
- Acute phase and other proteins (alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha-fetoprotein)
3
Q
What are the coagulation factors? (Liver synthesises all of them)
A
- fibrinogen
- prothrombin
- factors V, VII, IX, X and XIII
- Proteins C and S
- Antithrombin
4
Q
What is the major pathway for the elimination of nitrogenous waste?
A
- AAs are degraded by transamination and oxidative deamination to produce ammonia
- Ammonia is then converted into urea and excreted by the kidneys
5
Q
How is blood glucose maintained in the fasting state?
A
- Glycogenolysis (glucose release from glycogen breakdown)
* Gluconeogenesis (synthesis of new glucose)
6
Q
What are the sources for gluconeogenesis?
A
- Lactate
- Pyruvate
- AAs from muscles (mainly alanine and glutamine)
- Glycerol (lipolysis of fat stores)
7
Q
What is the role of the liver in metabolism of lipoproteins?
A
•Synthesises: very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs)
8
Q
What cells break down mature red cells into bilirubin?
A
• Kupfer cells in the liver and reticuloendothelial system
9
Q
What is the normal daily production of bilirubin?
A
• 250-300mg
