What liver process does the toxin hypoglycin A specifically inhibit, leading to acute hypoglycemia?
Answer
Hepatic gluconeogenesis
Hypoglycin A exerts its dangerous effect on the liver by actively inhibiting the process of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Gluconeogenesis is the essential metabolic pathway where the liver creates new glucose molecules from non-carbohydrate sources when circulating blood sugar levels begin to fall too low. By blocking this critical function, the toxin prevents the liver from replenishing depleted glycogen stores or synthesizing glucose needed to maintain euglycemia. For a person who already manages blood sugar dynamics, this toxin-induced failure of internal glucose production results in severe, unmanageable, and often refractory hypoglycemia.
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