CP 61 - Disease of the Liver, Investigation of the liver Flashcards
(29 cards)
what is a sinusoid?
A sinusoid is a small blood vessel that is a type of capillary similar to a fenestrated endothelium
what within the liver cause conjugation of bilirubin, drug detoxification?
smooth endoplasmic reticulum
what are some functions of the liver?
Carbohydrates - glycogen storage & synthesis, glycolysis & gluconeogenesis
proteins - synthesis & catabolism - clotting factos, AA metabolism & urea synthesis
lipids - lipoproteins & cholesterol synthesis, fatty acid metabolism, bile acid synthesis
excretion & detoxification - bile acid& bilirubin excretion, drug detoxification & excretion , steroid hormone inactivation & excretion
miscellaneous - iron storage, Vit A, D, E & B12 storage & metabolism
CPLEM
what is LFT?
liver function test
what are some test for the liver?
alk phosph, ALT, bilirubin albumin, total protein, GGT (gemma glutamyl transferase)
what are some examples for liver disease?
Poisoning Drugs Infection (viral & non-viral) Alcohol Inadequate perfusion – can be cardiac abnormality Fatty liver Autoimmune Metabolic Tumours & metastases
what are aminotransferases
an enzyme that catalyzes a type of reaction between an amino acid and an α-keto acid. They are important in the synthesis of amino acids
what are the 2 examples of aminotransferases?
ALT, AST - only found within the cells and so only detected when cell damages
which of the 2 aminotransferases is more specific to liver test?
ALT as AST also found in muscle and blood cells
what is a tumour marker for the liver?
– α-fetoprotein (primary hepatocellular carcinoma)
what can indicate biliary tract damage?
increased conjugated bilirubin
Alk phosph - increased due to increase production from the cells lining the bile canaliculi and overflow in blood - for
cholestasis
infiltrative diseases
space-occupying lesions - tumours
cirrhosis
what can Gamma glutamyltransferase (γGT)
indicate?
elevated due to structural damage - for
alcohol enzyme inducing agents fatty liver heart failure prostatic disease pancreatic disease kidney damage
what can indicate hepatitis?
AST/ALT elevated & normal ALP
what can indicate obstructive jaundice
AST/ALT normal & elevated ALP
what can indicate post-hepatic jaundice?
dark urine & pale stool
what LFT can be used to detect viral hepatitis?
Serology:
Hep A,B,C,D & EB, CMV, HIV
what LFT can be used to detect chronic active & autoimmune hepatitis?
Anti smooth muscle, anti liver/kidney, anti microsomal and anti nuclear antibodies
what LFT can be used to detect primary biliary cirrhosis
anti-mitochondrial antibodies
what LFT can be used to detect hereditary haemachoromatosis
Ferritin, transferrin saturation, liver biopsy, genetic testing
what LFT can be used to detect hereditary Wilson’s Disease
urine copper, plasma copper, liver biopsy
what LFT can be used to detect α1-antitrypsin deficiency
α1-antitrypsin, genetic testing
what is AFP
AFP (alpha-fetoprotein): AFP is a plasma protein that is normally produced by the foetus.
what LFT can be used to detect hepatocellular cancer
AFP
what are some symptoms for acute pancreatitis?
Severe epigastic pain, sudden onset, radiating to the back
