Gluconeogenesis disorders

Individuals with chronic liver disease may have disorders of fluid and electrolyte balance, including ascites, edema, and effusions. Alterations of whole body potassium induced by vomiting and diarrhea, as well as severe secondary aldosteronism, may contribute to muscle weakness and can be worsened by diuretic therapy. The metabolic derangements caused by metabolism of large amounts of ethanol can result in hypoglycemia, as a result of impaired hepatic gluconeogenesis, and in ketosis, caused by excessive lipolytic factors, especially increased cortisol and growth hormone. 

Acid-base disorders Initial metabolic alkalosis (resulting from decreased urea synthesis with reduced bicarbonate consumption) may be superimposed by respiratory alkalosis as an outcome of disorders in lung function. During the further course, metabolic acidosis (with renal insufficiency) and respiratory acidosis (with pulmonary insufficiency) can be expected. In advanced or severe stages of the disease, lactate acidosis may develop in some 50% of all comatose patients owing to restricted gluconeogenesis. 

Hereditary fructose intolerance is caused by an autosomal recessive hereditary defect of the enzyme fructose-l-phosphate aldolase. Whenever fructose is supplied, severe hypoglycaemia and functional disorders occur in the liver, kidneys and CNS. The prevalence is estimated at 1 20,000 births. As with galactose intolerance, the gene which codes aldolase B is also localized on chromosome 9. This enzyme defect causes fructose-l-phosphate to accumulate in the liver and tissue. The cleavage of fructose-1,6-biphosphate is only slightly compromised since the enzymes aldolase A and C are available for this process. The consumption of phosphate and ATP in the tissue results in various functional disorders (i.) inhibition of gluconeogenesis in the liver and kidneys, (2.) increase in lactate in the serum with metabolic acidosis, (3.) decrease in protein synthesis in the liver, and (4.) functional disorders of the proximal tubular cells with development of Fanconi s syndrome, (s. pp 593, 594) (193, 194, 196, 198)... 

Lactic acidosis is also caused by (1) drugs and toxins, such as ethanol, methanol, biguanides, isoniazid (see previous discussion), and streptozotocin (2) acquired and hereditary defects in enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis (3) disorders such as severe acidosis, uremia, liver failure, tumors, and seizures (4) anesthesia and (5) abnormal intestinal bacteria producing n-lactate (described in Chapter 25). 

Source of data Ruderman NB, Aoki TT, Cahill GF Jr. Gluconeogenesis and its disorders in man. In Hanson RW, Mehiman MA, eds. Gluconeogenesis Its Regulation in Mammalian Species. New York, John Wiley. 1976 517. 

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