What primary physiological process is inhibited by hypoglycins, leading directly to the dangerously low blood sugar characteristic of Jamaican Vomiting Sickness?
Answer
Releasing stored glucose (glycogen) from the liver
Jamaican Vomiting Sickness (JVS) is fundamentally linked to the toxins' interference with the body's energy storage management system. The hypoglycins operate by actively inhibiting the liver's ability to mobilize and release its stored supply of glucose, known as glycogen, into the bloodstream. When this release mechanism is blocked, the body cannot maintain adequate circulating blood sugar levels, resulting in severe and potentially life-threatening hypoglycemia. This is particularly dangerous for individuals who have not eaten recently, as the body relies on these glycogen reserves between meals.
Related Questions
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