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 |