The liver produces bile, which emulsifies fat.
Protein Production: clotting factor production, The liver is the source of plasma albumin; many plasma globulins, including alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha-antiprotease); and many proteins of the coagulation cascade.
B. Fat Metabolism
Free fatty acids from adipose tissue and medium- or short-chain fatty acids absorbed in the intestine are brought to the liver. Triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids are synthesized in the liver from the fatty acids and complexed with specific lipid acceptor proteins to form very-low-density lipoproteins that enter the plasma. The liver also metabolizes intermediate- and low-density lipoproteins.
C. Cholesterol Metabolism
Protein Metabolism
In addition to its synthetic function, the liver is the central organ in protein catabolism and synthesis of urea. Urea is secreted by the liver into the plasma for excretion by the kidney.
The liver plays a role in detoxifying noxious nitrogenous compounds derived from the intestine, as well as many drugs and chemicals.
Second, the blood flow draining the intestine is arranged such that substances that are absorbed pass first through the liver, allowing for the removal and metabolism of any toxins that have inadvertently been taken up, as well as clearance of particulates, such as small numbers of enteric bacteria.
The liver plays a vital role in detoxifying noxious nitrogenous compounds derived from the intestine, as well as many drugs and chemicals.
Phagocytosis via the Kupffer cells lining the sinusoids
The liver filter aged and damaged blood cells from the blood.
Bilirubin, cholesterol, urobilinogen, and bile acids excreted by the liver in bile, thence into the intestine to be excreted with the feces.
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