Glucose Test - Theory Points
Glucose entering the blood is derived from :-
1-Dietary carbohydrate.
2-Glycogenolysis of liver glycogen.
3-Gluconeogenesis from protein.
Glucose is removed from the blood by :-
1-Oxidation to produce energy in tissues (ATP, CO2, H2O).
2-Formation of fatty acids in adipose tissue.
3-Conversion in liver and muscle to glycogen.
4-Renal excretion if blood glucose concentration is higher than 180 mg/dl.
HORMONES regulating glucose level in the blood:
1- Insulin:
Promotes glycogenesis and lipogenesis to decrease in blood glucose, it also increases the permeability of cells to glucose.
Location of secretion: -cell of pancreas
Glucose Test - Theory Points
2- Growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic:
Both have an antagonistic action to insulin and increase blood glucose.
Location of secretion: the anterior pituitary gland
3- Hydrocortisone:
Stimulate gluconeogenesis so it increases blood glucose.
Location: adrenal cortex
4- Epinephrine:
Stimulate glycogenolysis so increase in blood glucose.
Location: adrenal medulla
5- Glucagon:
Stimulate hepatic glycogenolysis so increase in blood glucose.
Location: -cell of pancreas
Glucose Test - Theory Points
6- Thyroxine:
Stimulate glycogenolysis and increase the rate of absorption of glucose from the intestine so increase blood glucose.
Location: thyroid gland
Total Protein & Albumin - Theory Points
Serum (as contrast with plasma) is deficient in those coagulation proteins, which are consumed during the process of blood
coagulation.
Therefore, serum protein will be approximately 0.25 gm/dl lower than plasma protein, because of the absence of fibrinogen.
In very general terms, variation of plasma proteins concentrations can be due to changes in any of three factors:
- The rate of proteins synthesis.
- The rate of removal of proteins.
- The volume of distribution.
The two major causes for alterations of total serum proteins are:
- Change in the volume of plasma water.
- Change in the concentration of one or more of the specific proteins in the plasma.
Albumin is the major plasma protein, it makes up around 50% of human plasma protein.
It is synthesized in liver at a rate of (10-12) gm/day.
Total Protein & Albumin - Theory Points
Albumin can also be measured in the urine.
Functions of Albumin:
1- Maintain water balance in serum or plasma.
2- Transport of different ligands (e.g. calcium, bilirubin, free fatty acids, drugs and steroids).
Uric Acid - Theory Points
Uric acid is a waste product that is produced by the body when it breaks down purine nucleotides, which are found in many foods and
drinks.
These include liver, kidney, beef, lamb, dried beans and peas.
Also created through the natural process of cell breakdown in the body.
The purine bases are adenine and guanine, which present in DNA and RNA.
The urate elimination depends on kidneys (70%) by urine, and the gastrointestinal tract (30%);
In chronic kidney disease (CKD), the gastrointestinal contribution of urate excretion increases to compensate for the decreased
elimination by the kidneys.
Cholesterol - Theory Points
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver, and found in the blood and in all cells of the body.
Cholesterol is important for good health and is needed for making cell walls, tissues, hormones, vitamin D, and bile acid.
Carriers of cholesterol:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): This carries cholesterol and transports it throughout the body and so cholesterol may accumulate up in
the walls of the arteries, making them hard and narrow (atherosclerosis). This is why LDL-C is sometimes called the bad cholesterol.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL): This picks up excess cholesterol from tissues and takes it back to the liver. This is why HDL-C is
sometimes called the good cholesterol.
Sources of cholesterol:
1- Human body can make cholesterol. Liver is the major internal source but cholesterol can be made by all nucleated cells.
2- The remainder comes from foods derived from animals. For example, meat, full-fat dairy products, and egg yolk.
Functions of cholesterol:
- A cell membrane component
Cholesterol - Theory Points
- A digestive aid (for bile production)
- Precursor for vitamin D
- Precursor for steroid hormones: cortisol, estrogen, testosterone
