MSD Manual

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Summary of Major Hepatobiliary Functions

Summary of Major Hepatobiliary Functions

Category

Biochemical

Hepatobiliary Functions

Carbohydrate metabolism

Glucose

Homeostasis, gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis

Insulin

Metabolism, degradation

Glucagon

Metabolism, degradation

Glycogen

Metabolism, storage

Growth hormone

Regulation

Lipid metabolism

Cholesterol

Synthesis, esterification, excretion

Bile acid

Synthesis, regulation

Ketogenesis, fatty acid

Oxidation, mobilization

Triglycerides

Metabolism, storage

Lipoprotein

Synthesis, release

Phospholipid

Metabolism

Protein metabolism

Albumin

Synthesis, turnover (endocytosis by sinusoidal endothelium)

Globulins: acute phase proteins, transport proteins, certain immunoglobulins (bile)

Synthesis, turnover

Apoproteins

Synthesis (some)

Coagulation proteins:

Procoagulants

Activators

Inhibitors

Synthesis

Procoagulants, inhibitors

Procoagulants, inhibitors

Amino acid

Synthesis, regulation

Ammonia

Synthesis, detoxification

Urea

Synthesis

Vitamin metabolism

Water-soluble vitamins: B1, B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cyanocobalamin), folic acid, nicotinic acid, riboflavin

Activation, synthesis, storage

Fat-soluble vitamins: E, D, A, and K

Activation, synthesis, storage

Other micronutrients (eg, zinc, copper, iron)

Storage, metabolism

Immunologic functions

Kuppfer cells

Sinusoidal endothelium

Population, function, phagocytic protection, gut bacteria, toxins particulate debris

Complement metabolism, interleukin production

Immunomodulation (metabolic products)

IgA production and biliary excretion

Endocrine hormone metabolism

Polypeptide hormones

Target organ influence, hormone degradation

Steroid hormones

Conjugation, degradation/excretion

Hematologic functions

Blood cellular components

In utero hematopoiesis (in fetal liver), blood storage, intrahepatic extramedullary hematopoiesis (in severe anemia), senescent RBC breakdown

Coagulation system components

Factor, inhibitor, synthesis, activation, overall homeostasis

Hematopoietic factors (B12, folate, iron)

Storage/activation

Reticuloendothelial system

Transferrin

Synthesis

Iron

Homeostasis, storage

Bilirubin

Uptake, conjugation, excretion, enterohepatic circulation

Digestive functions

Bile acids

Synthesis, regulation, optimization of fat digestion, enterohepatic circulation

Bile

Synthesis, excretion

Gallbladder

Bile storage, bile release synchronization with meals

Detoxication and excretory functions

Bilirubin

Conjugation, uptake, biliary excretion

Ammonia

Urea cycle

Steroid hormones

Cortisol, androgen, estrogen, aldosterone

Xenobiotics

Barbiturates, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, metronidazole, propranolol, theophylline, propoxyphene, pentazocine, diazepam, meperidine, lidocaine, aminophylline

Copper

Cytosolic storage proteins, lysosomal storage, canalicular elimination

Cholesterol

Biliary excretion

Enterohepatic circulation

Bile acids

Essential for homeostasis

Nutrients

Essential to many nutrients

Xenobiotic metabolites (drugs, toxins)

Involved in biometabolism