quick insulin question

[defhalotones]

Im here studying for my patho test tomorrow, and i'm confused about one little question i cant seem to find the answer to.

If someone is lacking insulin, would their blood amino acid levels increase of decrease?

I see their glucose levels will rise, and their pH will fall to acidosis...

Thanks>!

[biohazard]

If I remember correctly, insulin also improves the ability of cells to take in amino acids. Thus I'd guess that a lack of insulin leads to elevated amino acid levels in the blood along with glucose. Not 100% sure about this, though, so double-check this if you can :)

[JackBean]

insulin increases the uptake by cells and by that you increase their level in blood?

[biohazard]

wat?

[JackBean]

nothing, I've read it wrong.

I think the insulin also regulates the protein turnover, doesn't it?

[aptitude]

Insulin increases the rate of protein synthesis and therefore lowers the blood amino acid concentration. Someone lacking insulin (e.g. type I diabetics) would see an increase in their blood amino acid concentration.

[FeelGoodFlowerz]

This is some pretty great info, everyone! Thanks for initiating this conversation! My father is diabetic, so I too was curious to know how insulin worked specifically. To be frank with you, I wasn't aware that the liver was directly affected in all of this.

Just out of sheer curiosity (seeing as this conversation is definitely steering in that direction), would a lack of insulin cause your liver to "overwork?" If this is the case, would that individual become a more highly considered recipient for a liver transplant? Not sure how that works. I've been researching facilities that offer living transplants they have a wealth of information, but what other resources are out there to learn about when a person becomes a candidate?