Question

1) What is the role of the liver in amino acid metebolism? Discuss 3 things that occur in the liver as amino acids from the portal vein enter the live. Your answer should include the types of compounds that are synthesized, and the metabolic reactions involved.

2) During fasting conditions, the circulation levels of glutamine and alanine are elevated - why is this? Hint: this question is focused primarily on the muscle, but also includes other tissue.

3) Several companies are now enriching enteral and parenteral nutrition produces with glutamine. What is the rationale for this procedure?

Answer 1

1.liver cells change aminoacids in foods so that they can be used to produce energy or make carbohydrates or fats.A toxic substance called ammonia is a by product of this process.the liver cells convert ammonia to a much less toxix substance called urea,which is released in to the blood.

2.aminoacids serve as precursors for the net synthesis of alanine and glutamine in skeletal muscle.during fasting,cortisol induces muscle protein breakdown and glucagon causes activation of alanine receptors on liver cell surfaces.

3.it facilitating nitrogen metabolism,fueling the cells that live the intestine, supporting protein synthesis, serve as a critical substrate for the cellular immune response.