Buffer function in organ metabolism

The absorptive state continues for 2-4 hours after food intake. As a result of food digestion, the plasma levels of glucose, amino acids, and fats (triacylglycerols) temporarily increase. 

The endocrine pancreas responds to this by altering its hormone release—there is an increase in insulin secretion and a reduction in glucagon secretion. The increase in the insu-lin/glucagon quotient and the availability of substrates trigger an anabolic phase in the tissues—particularly liver, muscle, and adipose tissues. 

The liver forms increased amounts of glycogen and fats from the substrates supplied. Glycogen is stored, and the fat is released into the blood in very low density lipoproteins (VLDLs). 

Muscle also refills its glycogen store and synthesizes proteins from the amino acids supplied. 

Adipose tissue removes free fatty acids from the lipoproteins, synthesizes triacylglycerols from them again, and stores these in the form of insoluble droplets. 

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