Ava Frick

February is the month we think of hearts and loving each other. If you really love your animals you want to show them your love by helping them via their liver. The liver has many jobs that focus on metabolic pathways and synthesizing molecules that are utilized in other parts of the body to support homeostasis and energy balance. Some of the main areas of function are associated with carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, prevention of allergies, and the formation of hormone precursors. Hepatocytes, the liver cells, concentrate and house vitamins, minerals, and enzymes to help it do its many tasks.

Carbohydrate metabolism is the extraction and maintenance of glucose. Blood level of glucose is kept within a narrow normal range by the work of the liver. When an animal has not eaten for several hours the hepatocytes activate specific groups of enzymes to synthesize glucose out of amino acids and other carbohydrates. The capacity to do this is very important in carnivores and omnivores where starch consumption is devoid or at a minimum.

Protein metabolism converts amino acids to glucose or lipids via the use of enzymes. Hepatocytes are responsible for synthesis of most of the plasma proteins. Albumin, the major plasma protein, is synthesized almost exclusively by the liver. Clotting factors necessary for blood coagulation are also synthesized by the liver in the presence of adequate vitamins and minerals.

Lipid metabolism in the liver involves oxidizing triglycerides to produce energy. Triglycerides are the form of fatty acids, which are stored in adipose tissue. These, by the way, are constantly changing. Fat deposits are not the same now as they were a month ago. The liver also synthesizes large quantities of cholesterol and phospholipids for its use by the body. Excess is excreted in bile as cholesterol or is converted to bile acids. Removing ammonia and other toxins from the body is yet another job of the liver.