An Overview Of Endocrine Hormones Secreted By The Liver

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The liver holds sway as the largest internal organ in the human body. However, its importance and significant is not just due to its size. There are several roles that the liver performs without which the body will be unable to function efficiently. Some the functions of the liver include helping the body digest fats, storage of nutrient reserves, filtering poisons and wastes from the blood, synthesis of a variety of proteins, and regulating the levels of many chemicals found in the bloodstream. Another important function of the liver is revealed by an overview of endocrine hormones secreted by the liver. In other words, the liver also serves as an endocrine organ.

The Liver as an Endocrine Organ

There are several organs in the human body that produce or synthesize endocrine hormones. These organs all form the endocrine system, an important system responsible for the performance of functions essential to human life. Apart from certain organs being conventionally referred to as endocrine, there are certain nonendocrine organs that also synthesize endocrine hormones. The liver is one such organ and it’s responsible for the secretion of at least 3 different hormones that carry out important roles in the functioning of the body. An overview of endocrine hormones secreted by the liver will reveal this.

An Overview of Endocrine Hormones Secreted by the Liver

The liver is responsible for the secretion of the following hormones: Angiotensinogen, Thrombopoietin and Insulin-like Growth factor 1 (IGF-1)

Angiotensinogen

This hormone is an a-2-globulin that is synthesized and released into the circulation majorly by the liver. It’s a peptide hormone which serves as a precursor to angiotensin. Angiotensinogen is a member of the family of proteins known as serpins and has often been referred to as renin-substrate. This is because it works closely with renin produced by the kidney to maintain blood pressure. The human angiotensinogen is made up of 452 amino acids but the most important ones for the functions of the hormone are the first 12. The importance of angiotensinogen comes into play when it is converted to angiotensin which functions in vasoconstriction and regulation of blood pressure.

Thrombopoietin

Also known as TPO, thrombopoietin is a glycoprotein hormone synthesized majorly by the liver and also to some levels by the kidneys. It is made up of about 332 amino acids and the major function is the stimulation of bone marrow precursor cells to become megakaryocytes. Megakaryocytes in turn fragment to form platelets (megakaryocytopoiesis), which are responsible for blood clotting. The parenchymal cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells of the liver are responsible for its production.

Insulin-like Growth factor 1 (IGF-1)

IGF-1 is similar in molecular structure to insulin. It is made up of 70 amino acids and plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth and development and also has some insulin-like effects. A deficiency of this hormone results in Laron’s dwarfism. Production of IGF-1 in the liver is stimulated by growth hormone.

With this overview of endocrine hormones secreted by the liver, it is clearly evident that the liver can also be regarded as an important part of the endocrine system.