SS1. Endocrine functions of the liver

Question 1

Name hormones the liver produces

Answer 1

25-hydroxycholecalciferol from vitamin D.
Angiotensinogen
THrombopoietin
Hepcidin

Question 2

What are the functions of insulin-like growth factors?

Answer 2

Stimulate clonal expansion of chondrocytes, formation & maturation of osteoblasts within growth plates & formation of osteoid (organic matrix of the bone)

Question 3

What is the receptor for insulin-like growth factors?

Answer 3

IGF-1R(eceptor), and binds to insulin with lower affinity.

Question 4

When does IGF-1 Rise, and when does it fall?

Answer 4

Rises during puberty with fast increase. Falls when reaching adult stage.

Question 5

What happens to RBCs that are senescent?

Answer 5

Removed from blood by phagocytes in liver and spleen.

Question 6

What happens to the iron in RBCs when they’re taken up by phagocytes?

Answer 6

It’s recycled to plasma where it binds to transferrin, a protein which transports iron, or it’s stored in liver as ferritin.

Question 7

What does hepcidin do?

Answer 7

Reduces capacity of enterocytes to transport iron. When Iron demand is low, Hepcidin levels are high and vice versa.