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Publication
The liver.
Authors Trefts E, Gannon M, Wasserman DH
Submitted By Submitted Externally on 4/24/2018
Status Published
Journal Current biology : CB
Year 2017
Date Published 11/1/2017
Volume : Pages 27 : R1147 - R1151
PubMed Reference 29112863
Abstract The liver is a critical hub for numerous physiological processes. These include
macronutrient metabolism, blood volume regulation, immune system support,
endocrine control of growth signaling pathways, lipid and cholesterol
homeostasis, and the breakdown of xenobiotic compounds, including many current
drugs. Processing, partitioning, and metabolism of macronutrients provide the
energy needed to drive the aforementioned processes and are therefore among the
liver's most critical functions. Moreover, the liver's capacities to store
glucose in the form of glycogen, with feeding, and assemble glucose via the
gluconeogenic pathway, in response to fasting, are critical. The liver oxidizes
lipids, but can also package excess lipid for secretion to and storage in other
tissues, such as adipose. Finally, the liver is a major handler of protein and
amino acid metabolism as it is responsible for the majority of proteins secreted
in the blood (whether based on mass or range of unique proteins), the processing
of amino acids for energy, and disposal of nitrogenous waste from protein
degradation in the form of urea metabolism. Over the course of evolution this
array of hepatic functions has been consolidated in a single organ, the liver,
which is conserved in all vertebrates. Developmentally, this organ arises as a
result of a complex differentiation program that is initiated by exogenous
signal gradients, cellular localization cues, and an intricate hierarchy of
transcription factors. These processes that are fully developed in the mature
liver are imperative for life. Liver failure from any number of sources (e.g.
viral infection, overnutrition, or oncologic burden) is a global health problem.
The goal of this primer is to concisely summarize hepatic functions with respect
to macronutrient metabolism. Introducing concepts critical to liver development,
organization, and physiology sets the stage for these functions and serves to
orient the reader. It is important to emphasize that insight into hepatic
pathologies and potential therapeutic avenues to treat these conditions requires
an understanding of the development and physiology of specialized hepatic
functions.




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