24 The Hepatic Response to Thermal Injury

A severe burn injury induces a hypermetabolic response that negatively impacts glucose homeostasis, fat metabolism, and protein balance. The liver plays a pivotal role mediating the disarrangements observed in glycogenolysis, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, and proteolysis, all of which are part of this systemic response. Clinical observations and investigative studies have helped us to understand the function of the liver in the …