Liver Biochemistry Lecture (TEST 2) Flashcards
Structure of the Liver
- LARGEST SOLID ORGAN in the body
- Weighs ~1500 g
- Consists of 2 LOBES each which is Subdivided unto MULTIPLE LOBES and SINUSOIDS
- Liver is covered by a Capsule of Connective Tissue
- Blood Flow:
a) 75% supplied by PORTAL VEIN
b) 25% by HEPATIC ARTERY - Biliary Component made of BILE DUCTS and GALL BLADDER
Liver Cell Types
- Hepatocytes
- Endothelial Cells
- Kupffer Cells —-> Macrophages
- Hepatic Stellate Cells —> Vitamin A and RA
- Pit Cells (lymphocytes)—-> NK Cells
Functions of the Liver
- Primary Receiving, Distribution and Recycling Center
- Lipid Biosynthesis and Management (Triacylglycerol, Phospholipids, Steroids)
- Protein Synthesis: Albumin, IgG, Lipid Transport Proteins (Apoproteins), Blood Coagulation Proteins (Fibrinogen, Prothrombin), C Reactive Protein
- Nitrogen Metabolism: Urea Cycle
- Waste Management: Xenobiotic Reactions
- Bilirubin Metabolism
- Fuel Management
Central Receiving, Distribution and Recycling Center
- Major Role of Liver is MONITORING, SYNTHESIZING, RECYCLING, DISTRIBUTING, and MODIFYING METABOLITES!!!!!!!!
- Any portion of Ingested Material that may be useful to the body is RETRIEVED BY THE LIVER and converted into a Useful Form
- Any HARMFUL PRODUCT that is ingested or produced in the body is CONVERTED INTO A SAFE PRODUCT and Excreted
Structural Adaptations
- Liver receives Blood from the Enteric Circulation (VIS PORTAL VEIN) and from Periphery (VIA HEPATIC ARTERY)
STRUCTURAL FEATURES:
a) Lack of BASEMENT MEMBRANE between Endothelial Cells and Hepatocytes
b) Gaps between Endothelial Cells
c) Fenestrations in Endothelial Cells
d) Low Portal Blood Pressure
* * These features ALLOW GREATER ACCESS AND INCREASED CONTACT BETWEEN LIVER AND BLOOD*
- HEPATOCYTES: Well Developed Plasma Membrane with ENDOCYTIC and EXOCYTIC System, well developed ER (Smooth and Rough), Metabolically Active Cells, lots of Mitochondria, lots of Lysosomes
Features of Isoprenoids
- THREE ACETYL CoA used to generate ISOPENTYL PYROPHOSPHATE (IPP)
- This Five Carbon IPP serves as the Building block for the Synthesis of all Isoprenoids, including Steroids and Lipid-Soluble Vitamins
Sources of Acetyl CoA
- Generated in MITOCHONDRIA form Various Pathways
a) OXIDATIVE DECARBOXYLATION of PYRUVATE
b) BETA OXIDATION of FATTY ACIDS
c) Breakdown of AMINO ACIDS
- Transported into Cytoplasm via CITRATE SHUTTLE
Sterane
- SIX UNITS of IPP form TETRACYCLIC (4 Rign) STERANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- BACKBONE of most STEROIDS!!!!!
Structure of Cholesterol
- ALLICYCLIC COMPOUND made of 4 Fused Rings
- Molecular Weight: 386 kDa
- Has 27 CARBONS!!!!!!!!
STERANE:
- Sterane Ring has 17 Carbons
- Side Chain is 8 members Hydrocarbon Chain attached to C17!!!!!!!
- TWO METYL Groups at C10 and C13
- ONE HYDROXYL Group at C3
- ONE DOUBLE BOND between C5 and C6
Cholesterol
- Most ABUNDANT Sterol (~0.05% of Total Body Weight)
- Component of Plasma Membranes and Precursor of Biologically Active Compounds:
a) BILE ACIDS and BILE SALTS
b) VITAMIN D
c) STEROID HORMONES (Progesterone, Aldosterone, Cortisol, Testosterone, Estradiol)
Synthesis of Cholesterol
18 AcetylCoA + 18 ATP + 16NADPH + 16(H+) + 4O2 —————-> Cholesterol + 16 NADP+ + 18 ADP + 18 Pi
Cholesterol Synthesis Phase 1 and 2
PHASE 1:
- Starts with Acetyl CoA
- Ends with ISOPENTYL PYROPHOSPHATE (IPP)
- **Insulin and Thyroxin = Stimulate
- **Glucagon, Sterols, High AMP = Inhibits
PHASE 2:
- Starts with ISOPENTYL PYROPHOSPHATE (IPP)
- Ends with Cholesterol
- **Azoles and Squalestatins = Inhibits
Synthesis of Mevalonate from Acetyl CoA
1) Acetyl CoA ——> Acetoacetyl CoA
2) Acetoacetyl CoA —-(HMG-CoA Synthase)—-> HMG-CoA
3) **HMG-CoA —- ( HMG-CoA REDUCTASE!!!!!!!!) —-> Mevalonate*******
Compounds derived from Intermediates in Cholesterol Synthesis
1) QUINOL Form of UBIQUINONE (CoQ10)
2) HEME A (in Cytochromes)
Fate of Cholesterol
All Tissue:
- Cholesterol incorporated into Cellular Membranes
Liver:
- Cholesterol used to Synthesize BILE ACIDS
Adrenal Glands, Ovaries, TEstes:
- Cholesterol used to Synthesize Steroid Hormones
Skin:
- Cholesterol used to Synthesize Vitamin D
***PACKAGED into VLDL and released into Circulation