Question

Mr. V is a 55-year-old alcoholic who checked into a clinic, complaining that he has been experiencing a persistent cough and feeling more fatigued, nauseous, and irritable. In addition, he is experiencing more frequent memory lapses. His stomach is distended, but on palpation, his liver is small in size and firm, indicating cirrhosis. Lab tests indicate a decrease in hemoglobin, albumin, levels with elevated serum bilirubin and ammonia levels.

QUESTION: Our liver has numerous important bodily functions. Explain the importance of the liver by describing a minimum of 4 of the liver's functions.

Answer 1

Liver plays an important role in storage of nutrients and detoxification:

1. The chylomicrons(dietary fats) coming from intestine after absorption through lymph reaches the liver for storage. These dietary fats are then degraded by hepatic lipases to form the new lipoproteins, cholestrol etc. which is transported to target organs through blood
2. Liver store excess of glucose by converting it to polymer glycogen(glycogenesis). When blood glucose level falls down; the liver breaks glycogen to release glucose (glycogenolysis)
3. Amino acids absorbed by small intestine enters liver where they undergo oxidative deamination to form keto acid and ammonia. Keto acid enter Kreb cycle for catabolism to provide energy and ammonia enters urea cycle where is combines with carbondioxide to release urea and water. Liver also help body to synthesisi new proteins from these amino acids.
4. Detoxification: Liver help to eliminate toxic substances by transforming them into the more soluble, excretable substances. It occurs in hepatocytes where toxins undergo conjugation with polar, water soluble groups making then easily excreted by urine.