LIVER IN METABOLIC RESPONSE

LIVER AND ENERGY SOURCES




2. The Role of LIVER
-The liver is the main handler of all nutrients in our body.
-It extracts 75-100% of all portal vein nutrients in one pass.
-Insulin and glucagons are required for liver function.
-Liver and kidney, both play a role in converting excess nitrogen, ( amino acids) into urea.
-Liver can also use amino acids to form glucose.

3. ENERGY SOURCES
3.1 PROTEINS

In a 70 kg man there is 10-11 kg. of protein.
The daily turnover is 250-300 gm mostly in the form of lost cells from GIT and the enzymes in the secretion of the gut.
Most of these amino acids are re-absorbed, about 1 gm is lost in the stools.
Thus 250 gms are sourced from endogenous protein reserve.
If adequate calorie source is provided (fats, carbohydrates) the required proteins will be re-synthesized using these sources of energy.
Dietary intake of small amount (100 gm) of essential and non-
essential amino-acid containing proteins is required to meet body
requirements.

Proteins are an important nutrient.
It is the resource for the amino acid pool for functional activity of the body through enzymes, contraction of muscles, and immune products. However, it is an uneconomic source of energy, since only one fourth is released on breakdown, compared to three times of this ammount of energy used, in synthesis of new proteins required.
There is also a loss of function with loss of muscle mass.

The end use of absorbed amino acids derived from food
proteins are :

* Synthesis of required proteins
-Plasma proteins 20 gm.
-Hb 8gms,
-WBC and skin 20gms
-Muscle 50 gms
* Catabolism leading to urea (80 gm. urea)
* Production of pyrimidines and purines
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