Systems 2 - Gastrointestinal Flashcards

(289 cards)

1
Q

Functions of the GI tract

A

DIGESTION - process by which food and large molecules are chemically degraded to produce smaller molecules.

ABSORPTION - process by which nutrient molecules are absorbed by cells that live in the GI tract, and enter the blood stream.

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2
Q

Layered structure of GI tract

A

Same overall structure throughout, but some regional variation.

Serosa
Longitudinal muscle - Muscularis externa
   MYENTERIC PLEXUS
Circular muscle         - Muscularis externa
   SUBMUCOSAL PLEXUS (only small + large intestines)
Submucosa
Muscularis mucosae -
Lamina propria          - Mucosa
Epithelium                  -
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3
Q

Amplification of surface area in GI tract

A
  • Folds of kerching / pilacae circulares - gross folds in small intestine, moved by muscularis mucosae
  • Villi and crypts
  • Microvilli on villus columnar epithelial cells - covered in network of glycocalyx to create unstirred layer essential for absorption of fat
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4
Q

Crypt - positioning of cells

A

TOP
Absorptive cell (goblet cells interspersed)
Microvacuolated columnar cell
Stem / progenitor cell (can turn over whole cell population in 2 weeks)
Enteric endocrine cell
BOTTOM

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5
Q

Absorptive cell

A

Basolateral membrane:
Na/K ATPase (Na⁺ out, K⁺ in)
Na/Cl cotransporter (Na⁺ and K⁺ in, Cl⁻ in)
K⁺ channel (K⁺ out)

Apical membrane:
Cl⁻ out into lumen

Na⁺ and H₂O move paracellularly into lumen, following Cl⁻

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6
Q

Gastrointestinal secretions

A

From salivary glands, gastric glands, exocrine pancreas, liver-biliary system, intestine.
8-9L/day
Contains - enzymes, ions, water, mucus
Function - breakdown large compounds, regulate pH, duilute, protect

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7
Q

Blood circulation of GI tract

A

Splanchnic circulation directs blood leaving small intestine to liver for processing, before entering IVC
Progressive activation following a meal, stomach first

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8
Q

Microvasculature of villus

A

Arteriole
Venule - amino acids and sugars leave here
Central lacteal - fats broken down, resynthesised and transported out here

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9
Q

Regulatory mechanisms to control GI function

A

ENDOCRINE - release of transmitter into blood for delivery to distant target cell
PARACRINE - release of transmitter from sensor cell to adjacent target cell without entering blood or activating neurones (local regulation)
NEURONAL

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10
Q

GI hormones

A

Gastrin - regulates gastric secretion and motility
Cholecystokinin (CCK) - gallbladder contraction and pancreatic secretion
Somatostatin - inhibits gastric secretion

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11
Q

Enteric nervous system

A

Postganglionic parasympathetic neurones
100 million neurones in (same as in spinal chord)
Myenteric plexus and submucosal plexus are complete self-sustaining networks of neurones

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12
Q

Transmitters in intrinsic and extrinsic NS

A

Intrinsic NS can self-regulate, Extrinsic NS enhances long term.

Intrinsic NS - acetylcholine and substance P are excitatory
- vasoactive intestinal peptide and nitric oxide are inhibitory

Extrinsic NS - acetylcholine for parasympathetic
- noradrenaline for sympathetic

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13
Q

Mechanisms for stimulating acid secretion

A
Hormonal regulation 
Neuronal regulation (before food even in stomach)

Multiple mechanisms

  • > redundancy
  • > precise control
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14
Q

Phases of GI control

A

Cephalic (sight, smell, taste, chewing)
Gastric (distension of stomach wall, acidity)
Intestinal (distension of SI wall, acidity, osmolarity)

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15
Q

Non-propulsive movement / segmentation

A

Rhythmic contraction and relaxation of circular muscle

Mixes chyme and brings all into contact with mucosal surface

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16
Q

Peristalsis

A

Relatively infrequent
Progressive contraction of successive sections of circular muscle
Propels chyme a short distance, allowing time for digestion and absorption

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17
Q

Reservoir function of GI tract

A

Lower oesophageal sphincter and pyloric sphincter allow stomach to act as reservoir
Tonic, long lasting contractions allow stomach to hold and process food-stuffs
Length of time depends on contents, longest hold for proteins and fats

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18
Q

GI smooth muscle cells

A

Small

Muscle fibres act together as a single functional unit, gap junctions for coordinated contraction

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19
Q

Contraction of GI smooth muscle cells regulated by calcium

A

Calmodulin + calcium
+ myosin light chain kinase
+ ATP + myosin with nonphosphorylated light chain
-> activated proteins

Raised intracellular calcium -> contraction

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20
Q

Mechanisms of Ca²⁺ release

A

Voltage-independent Ca²⁺ channel (Ca²⁺ induced Ca²⁺ release to ryanodine receptor)
Voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channel (Ca²⁺ induced Ca²⁺ release to ryanodine receptor)
G protein receptor -> intracellular signal via IP3-gated Ca²⁺ channel

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21
Q

Smooth muscle action potentials

A

Slow waves over seconds, not ms
Depolarised resting membrane potential
Oscillating membrane potential
Low amplitude (5-15mV)
Variable frequency (3-12/min), slowest in stomach, fastest in SI
Modulated by hormones, intrinsic/extrinsic nerves, body temp, metabolic activity

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22
Q

Fasted vs fed state affect on smooth muscle action potentials

A

Fasted - migrating motor complex

  • periods of none, then bursts of muscular activity
  • needed to clean GI tract to prepare for next meal

Fed - segmentation and peristalsis
- continuous low level activity

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23
Q

Sphincters

A

Specialised circular muscles separate two adjacent components of GI tract
Maintains positive resting pressure
Regulate forward and reverse movement
Regulation coordinated with smooth muscle contractions of adjacent compartments
One way valves, only open for pressure on proximal end

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24
Q

Salivary secretion

A

Parotid gland - largest salivary gland, serous secretion rich in α-amylase
Submandibular and sublingual glands - seromucous secretion
Minor glands scattered throughout oral cavity - muscous secretion rich in mucin glycoproteins

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25
Saliva
1.5 L/day Hyposmotic (lower osmolarity than plasma) pH around 7 MUCIN GLYCOPROTEINS to lubricate food LYSOZYME and PROLINE-RICH PROTEINS to clean and protect the mouth cavity α-AMYLASE to reduce starch to oligosaccharide molecules LIPASE (small amount) for fat digestion
26
Salivary gland structure
``` Gland - interlobular duct - Lobule - intercalated duct - Acinus - each produces one product Acinar (make zymogen granules, packets of produced proteins) and duct epithelial cells ``` Acinar cells at end of duct, where product is made. Leaky, salt and water can pass between Duct lining cells along duct, tight junctions Secretion is modified along duct, add HCO₃⁻ and K⁺, remove Na⁺ and Cl⁻
27
Acinar cells secretion
1- inwardly directed Na⁺ gradient across basolateral membrane 2- Cl⁻ accumulates intracellularly, driven by Na⁺ gradient 3- K⁺ ions out, maintain driving force for Cl⁻ exit across apical membrane 4- Cl⁻ exits cell into duct via channels 5- draws Na⁺ and water through paracellularly, so secretion of NaCl ACh and CCK potently stimulates NaCl secretion by acinar cells
28
Regulation of saliva secretion
Parasympathetic - stronger and more long lasting stimulation - esp. synthesis and secretion of salivary amylase Sympathetic - transient stimulatory effect NO HORMONAL CONTROL
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Vomiting - why?
Beneficial for survival, to rid animal of toxins Controlled by brain stem, stimulated by by neural and hormonal factors Coupled with nausea to condition avoidance of future toxin ingestion Or induced by higher centres
30
Vomiting sequence
Reverse peristalsis: - > soft palate and glottis close (stop respiration) - > pyloric sphincter, LES and stomach relax - > forced inspiration against a closed glottis, diaphragm and abdominal muscles contract - > increased intra abdominal pressure, contraction of stomach - > reflex relaxation of upper oesophageal sphincter
31
Embryology - week 3
Gastrulation to become: Ectoderm (-> nervous system, epithelium of skin) Mesoderm (-> connective tissues- blood, bone, muscle, GI and respiratory tract connectives) Endoderm (-> GI tract organs and epithelium of GI and respiratory tract)
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Week 4-5
Primitive gut tube formed, distinguishable sections to pharyngeal, fore, mid, hind gut. Mesenteries formed - from mesoderm - foregut structures attached at front and back to ventral and dorsal mesogastrum - liver develops in ventral mesogastrum, spleen in dorsal, lesser sac forms between them - greater omentum grows down in front, 4 cell layers fusing
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Foregut supply
``` Mouth-first 1/3 (descending) duodenum Coeliac trunk Coeliac ganglion (sympathetic) Vagus nerve (parasympathetic) ```
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Midgut supply
2/3 duodenum-2/3 transverse colon Superior mesenteric artery Superior mesenteric ganglion (sympathetic) Vagus nerve (parasympathetic)
35
Hindgut supply
Last 1/3 transverse colon-anus Inferior mesenteric artery Inferior mesenteric ganglion (sympathetic) Splanchnic nerve (parasympathetic)
36
Development of mouth
Initially stomadeum | Oropharyngeal membrane ruptures at 4 weeks (miscarry if not)
37
Development of pharyngeal arches and pouches
Externally - 5 arches with 4 clefts between, forming the muscles and skeleton of face Internally - 4 pouches from outpouching of foregut I - auditory tube and middle ear cavity II - palatine tube III - inferior parathyroid gland and thymus IV - superior parathyroid gland and parafollicular cells of thyroid III and IV will swap position as embryo curls
38
Development of tongue, and associated nerves
Develops from pharyngeal arches Anterior 2/3 - sensation from trigeminal, taste from facial Posterior 1/3 - taste and sensation from glossopharyngeal All motor sensation from hypoglossal
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Development of stomach
Week 4 starts to dilate Dorsal wall grows faster than ventral, creating greater and lesser curvatures Rotates longitudinally and anterioposteriorly, dorsal and ventral mesenteries twist in process
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Development of duodenum
Pushed onto dorsal wall, so 1st part of duodenum remains intraperitoneal and 2nd part is retroperitoneal as membrane at back fuses and is reabsorbed To form C shaped loop on right of cavity
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Development of liver and gallbladder
Outgrowth of endoderm in week 3 Liver bud grows against septum tranversum (which will become diaphragm) Main haematopoeitic organ from week 10-month 7 Cystic diverticulum off duodenum becomes ballbladder Bile production begins week 12
42
Development of pancreas
2 buds - dorsal and ventral Ventral bud migrates with bile duct behind duodenum and fuses to dorsal bud Duct systems fuse, forming the main pancreatic duct
43
Development of spleen
NOT derived from endoderm tube At week 5, proliferation of mesoderm in dorsal mesogastrum Rotates, moves to left, stays intraperitoneal Haematopoietic and lymphoid function
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Midgut formation
Primary intestinal loop - formed in week 5 as midgut elongates. Attached to yolk sac by vitelline duct. At weeks 6-10, loop elongates, coils and twists to mature position
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Problems in midgut formation
Meckel's diverticulum - retained connection between midgut and yolk sac, appendicitis-like symptoms Abnormal gut rotation - risk of twisting mesentery and occluding blood supply Omphalocele - where midgut doesn't return to abdomen, organs remain in sac outside (usually many other defects) Gastroschisis - where abdominal wall doesn't close, herniation of intestine (better outcomes)
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Hindgut formation
Posterior region of cloaca becomes anorectal canal Anterior region becomes urogenital sinus Urorectal septum separates the two Anal canal - upper 2/3 from cloaca - lower 1/3 from anal pit Pectinate line between, as anal membrane breaks down Anorectal fistula and atresia where anal canal fuses to urogenital canal, to uterus, or has no opening.
47
NICE criteria for IBS
``` Abdominal pain/discomfort and change in bowel habit + 2 of: - mucus - bloating - change in diet - excessive wind ```
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Red flags on 'IBS' presentation
Weight/appetite loss Blood in stool Family history of bowel or ovarian cancer Over 60, and 6 week change in bowel habit Mass in abdomen or rectum Needing to get up at night with abdominal pain/to use toilet Classified as diarrhoea, constipation, or mixed
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Diagnosis of IBS
Full blood count to look for inflammatory markers: In blood - C reactive Protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate In faeces - calprotein
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Causes of IBS
Diet (heightened immune response to some foods) Genetics Dybiosis (less diverse microbiota) Inflammation - IBS can be triggered by infection Visceral hypersensitivity Psychological (stress) Ensure not just dysmotility!
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Treatment of IBS diarrhoea
Cut FODMAPS foods Anti-diarrhoea medicine, immodium Codeine, ondansetron Colestiramina (for bile salt malabsorption)
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Treatment of IBS constipation
``` Stop any causative drugs (eg opiates) Increase soluble fibre in diet Take fibre gels and sachets Amitiza, constella, senna, procalopride Avoid carbonated drinks ```
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Managing pain in IBS
``` Expectations! Avoid opiates Low dose tricyclic antidepressants Dietary modification Hypnosis/CBT ```
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Function of stomach in digestion
- 2L/day of secretions - pH 0.9-1.5, containing HCl, pepsins, intrinsic factor, mucus, HCO₃⁻ - Reservoir - Digestion of proteins - Absorption of vitamin B12
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Cells in stomach produce:
``` G cells - gastrin Surface epithelial cells - mucus, HCO₃⁻ Mucus neck cells - mucus Parietal cells - HCl, intrinsic factor Chief cells - pepsinogens Endocrine cells - histamine, somatostatin ```
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Secretion of HCl - by? function?
By parietal cells, when resting have tubulovesicles, and when active these are inserted into apical membrane, have canaliculus HCl - promotes activation of pepsins from pepsinogen - kills/inhibits microorganisms - stimulates secretions in the small intestine - helps iron and calcium absorption in the small intestine
57
Secretion of HCl process
1- H⁺/K⁺ ATPase pumps H⁺ out and K⁺ in 2- K⁺ out across apical membrane into lumen 3- raised intracellular pH, so passive uptake of CO₂ and H₂O across basolateral membrane. Forms HCO₃⁻ and H⁺ via carbonic anhydrase. 4- HCO₃⁻ out, Cl⁻ in 5- HCO₃⁻ exit causes alkalinisation of local blood vessels -alkaline tide 6- Cl⁻ exits passively, so HCl secretion process Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase and K⁺ channels maintain driving force for Cl⁻ exit
58
Agonists stimulating HCl secretion
INDIRECT Histamine: Enteric neurone to ECL cell, releases Histamine, H2 receptor raises cAMP DIRECT: Gastrin: Enteric neurone to G cell, to ECL cell as above, and G cell makes gastrin, to CCkB receptor to raise cAMP ACh: Enteric neurone releases ACh, to M3 receptor, raise cAMP 3 mechanisms allows for redundancy
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Antagonist of HCl secretion
Somatostatin from D cells inhibits G and ECL cells, in the antrum of stomach
60
Intrinsic factor
THE ONLY GASTRIC SECRETION THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR LIFE Haptocarrin = Q factor, protects vitamin 12 in stomach but not in small intestine IF is - glycoprotein secreted by parietal cells in stomach - combines with vitamin B12 to resist digestion by pancreatic proteases - facilitates absorption of vitamin B12 in ileum
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Pepsins
Pepsins digest proteins to peptides Optimal pH 3 or less Chief cells secrete pepsinogens, which in contact with HCl to form pepsins
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Gastric mucosal barrier
To protect against HCl and pepsins - mucus gel - HCO₃⁻ - surface epithelium impermeable to acid - tight junctionss pH is 7 at mucus cells (high HCO₃⁻), 1.5 at gastric lumen, so creates mucus gel neutralisation zone HCl doesn't linger here, maintains high pH
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Inhibition of HCO₃⁻ secretion (examples)
Aspirin Adrenaline Noradrenaline So can cause gastric ulcers
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Prostaglandins effect on gastric secretions
``` Increase HCO₃⁻ Increase mucus Decrease HCl Increase blood flow to mucosa Modify inflammatory response ```
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Gastric secretions in cephalic phase
Sight, smell, taste activate vagus nerve --> STIMULATES: ECL cell -> histamine -> parietal cell Enteric neurones -> G cell -> ECL cell - - -> INHIBITS: D cell - entirely dependent on vagus nerve - 20% total secretions - before food enters stomach
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Gastric secretions in gastric phase
STIMULATION: Distension -mechanoreceptors-> Parietal cell + G cell Digested proteins+amino acids -chemoreceptors-> G cell -> secretory cell INHIBITION: HCl -chemoreceptors-> D cells, which INHIBIT G and parietal cells
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Gastric secretions in intestinal phase
First stimulates, then inhibits STIMULATION when gastric chyme pH>3: Distension of duodenum -mechanoreceptors-> G and parietal cell (antrum of stomach) Digested proteins+amino acids -chemoreceptors-> G cell -> parietal cell (duodenum) INHIBITION when gastric chyme pH<3 HCl -> secretin and D cell, inhibits ECL, G, Parietal cell Products of digestion -> CCK and GIP, inhibit Parietal and G cell
68
Gastric motility
Receptive relaxation - fundus and body act as reservoir - vasovagal reflex: food, mechanoreceptors, vagal, CNS, vagal, relaxation Contraction - peristalsis in body and antrum to mix food with secretions - tonic contraction in pylorus to control emptying of food into duodenum, maintained contraction over minutes or hours
69
Gastric repropulsion = peristalsis
Contractions begin in body, travel towards pylorus Increase in force and velocity as they approach the gastroduodenal junction Most mixing occurs in antrum Function is to mix and break down gastric contents, must be <2mm diameter to get through pylorus
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Rate of gastric emptying
Pressure difference between lumen of stomach and duodenum is driving force Carbohydrates fastest, then proteins, fats slowest Solution faster than solids Rate controlled by neural and hormonal regulation.
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Gastric emptying to duodenum slowed by:
Hypertonic solutions HCl Fatty acids, monoglycerides Amino acids, peptides As need more time to digest. The rate will not exceed the rate at which i) acid can be neutralised ii) fat can be emulsified iii) small intestine can process chyme Do also increase activity and digestion in small intestine.
72
Treatment related causes of nausea and vomiting
Chemotherapy Radiotherapy to brain, stomach, bowel, near liver Hormonal therapies Morphine-based pain killers
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Anti-Emetics
Inhibit chemical trigger zone - toxins, drugs, vestibular nuclei labyrinth comes through here Inhibit D₂ or 5HT₃ receptors
74
D₂ dopamine receptor antagonists
Anti-emetics to inhibit CTZ Prevent vomiting by agents which trigger CTZ Also sedative, so used in motion sickness CHLORPROMAZINE, ACEPROMAZINE METACLOPRAMIDE Also antagonises 5HT₃ receptors, so very potent + peripheral action, increases muscle tone in LES to prevent vomiting
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5HT₃ receptor antagonists
Anti-emetics to inhibit CTZ ONDANSETRON NABILONE
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5HT₄ agonists
Anti-emetics to inhibit CTZ CISAPRIDE Acts peripherally, increases gastro-oesophageal sphincter contraction and GI motility Now withdrawn -> long QT syndrome
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Corticosteroids
Anti-emetics to inhibit CTZ | DEXAMETHASONE
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H₁ Histamine receptor antagonists
Anti-emetics to inhibit vestibular nuclei and nucleus of solitary tract (labyrinth receptors) DIPHENHYDROMINE CYCLIZINE PROMETHAZINE Effective in motion sickness, and morning sickness (pregnancy) Anti-muscarinic activity also
79
Muscarinic ACh antagonists
Anti-emetics to inhibit vestibular nuclei and nucleus of solitary tract (labyrinth receptors) HYASCINE Effective in motion sickness
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Emetics
Stimulate vomiting IPECACUANHA - irritant to stomach lining APOMORPHINE - D₂ agonist
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Diarrhoea
2L water is ingested, + 7L secretions enter GI tract daily -> so lots of water needs to be absorbed! Diarrhoeas if hypersecretion or reduced absorption due to - infection, toxins, chronic inflammation, dietary imbalance Dangerous in neonates/the elderly as causes dehydration and acidosis Treat with rapid rehydration and electrolytes, antibiotics, absorbents?
82
Normal absorption of electrolytes and water
1 - Apical active cotransport of Na⁺ and glucose in 2 - Na⁺ out, K⁺ out via Na/K ATPase on basolateral membrane to maintain gradient 3 - Cl⁻ in via apical channels 4 - Osmotic pressure created, water moves paracellularly into blood
83
Cholera mechanism
Cholera toxin causes GM1 receptor to be internalised by retrograde endocytosis Increases cAMP Activates CFTR, so Cl⁻ leaves cell Draws Na⁺ and water out also -> RAPID REHYDRATION
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Treatment of cholera
Antibiotics against cholera bacterium Inhibit GM1 target receptors Decrease adenylate cyclase, so decrease cAMP Inhibit CFTR, so decrease Cl⁻ loss
85
Drugs to treat diarrhoea
ANTIMUSCARINICS - short term use for pain relief, decrease peristalsis BUT also segmental contractions OPIOIDS - slow peristalsis, and increase segmental contractions (good), so increased fluid absorption -- these are motility modifying drugs, allow more time for reabsorption of water -- ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENTS - eg sulphasalazine CORTICOSTEROIDS - eg prednisolone, dexamethazone
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Causes of constipation
Slow motility of colon Too much water removed by colon Weak abdominal muscles Diet
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Treatment of constipation (laxatives)
LUBRICANTS - liquid paraffin - good but lines mucosal surface so may prevent absorption of some fat soluble vitamins BULK FORMING DRUGS - sterculia - increase volume of non-absorbable food in colon, but need high fluid intake! INTESTINAL STIMULANTS - bisacodyl, dantron, phenolphthalein - stimulate contraction, may cause abdominal cramps. Don't use if possible obstruction! OSMOTIC LAXATIVES - MgSO₄, lactulose - poorly absorbed solutes remain in GI tract, so promote movement of water into lumen
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Protective factors against peptic ulcers
Mucous gel HCO₃⁻ Prostaglandins (stimulate mucus and HCO₃⁻ production in surface E cells, decrease HCl release from parietal cells)
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Goals for management of peptic ulcers
Address primary problem, antibiotics? | Decrease acid secretion and increase mucus production
90
H₂ receptor antagonists
To treat peptic ulcers (HCl secretion is stimulated by histamine) CIMETIDINE RANITIDINE Decrease basal and food stimulated acid secretion Decrease volume of gastric juice, decrease [H⁺]
91
Muscariric receptor antagonists
To treat peptic ulcers (HCl secretion is stimulated by ACh) PIRENZIPINE Decrease basal and food stimulated acid secretion Decrease volume of gastric juice, decrease [H⁺]
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Proton pump inhibitors
``` To treat peptic ulcers OMEPRAZOLE ESOMEPRAZOLE LANSOPRAZOLE Irreversibly inhibit H⁺/K⁺ proton pump Inactivated at neutral pH, short plasma half life so not detected in plasma even when active, but accumulates in areas of low pH so is long lasting ```
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Antacids
To treat peptic ulcers SODIUM BICARBONATE (-> gas as produce CO₂) ALUMINIUM AND MAGNESIUM SALTS - react with HCl to form insoluble colloid. Give both to -> normal bowel function. Aluminium salts -> constipation Magnesium salts -> diarrhoea (alphabet)
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Mucosa protecting drugs
For peptic ulcers SUCRALFATE (inc aluminium salts, so is constipating) - forms gel with mucosa to coat and protect BISMUTH CHELATE - coats ulcer base - absorbs pepsin - enhances prostaglandin synthesis - increases HCO₃⁻ secretion
95
Misoprostol
For peptic ulcers caused by NSAIDs Synthetic prostaglandin Acts on parietal cells to decrease acid secretion Increases blood supply Increases mucus and bicarbonate secretion
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Secretions from liver
0.5L/day pH 7.4 Bile acids, cholesterol, phospholipids For digestion and absorption of fats
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Secretions from small intestine
1L/day pH of 7.6 Mucus, enteropeptidatse (=enterokinase, doesn't phosphorylate, to activate proteases from pancreas), water
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Secretions from pancreas
1.5L/day pH of 7.8-8.4 Contains salts (sodium bicarb mainly) and enzymes
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Endocrine and exocrine function of pancreas
``` ENDOCRINE Insulin and glucagon EXOCRINE - salts and water (HCO₃⁻, NaCl, water = pancreatic juice) to create correct environment for enzyme action - enzymes: -- proteases to digest proteins -- lipases to digest fats -- α-amylase to digest carbohydrates ```
100
Secretion of enzymes from pancreas
Made in rough ER -> golgi -> condensing vacuoles -> zymogen granules for storage Lipases and α-amylases are released as active enzymes, as can't damage the pancreas Proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidases) are released as inactive zymogens (trypsinogen, preCP etc) Released packaged with with (trypsin) inhibitor to stop premature activation Enteropeptidase is bound to brush border of apical membrane of duodenum and jejunum andwill activate later
101
Exocytosis of zymogens from pancreas caused by
CCK and M3 receptor neurones trigger IP3 and DAG | Secretin -> cAMP
102
Secretion of salts and water by pancreatic duct cells
Stimulated by secretin - Na out/K in pump creates inward Na⁺ gradient - Na⁺/HCO₃⁻ cotransporter and intracellular generation of HCO₃⁻ from CO₂ and H₂O -> HCO₃⁻ accumulates inside - H⁺ removed via Na/H exchanger - Cl⁻/HCO₃⁻ exchanger secretes HCO₃⁻ to lumen - cAMP stimulated Cl⁻ channels (CFTR) secrete Cl⁻ - K⁺ exit maintains driving force for Cl⁻ exit - HCO₃⁻ exit -> Na⁺ and water drawn through paracellular pathway to duct, NaHCO₃ secretion
103
Control of pancreatic secretion
Cephalic phase - stimulated by vagal impulses Gastric phase - vasovagal reflexes following distension -> high enzyme volume Intestinal phase - acid detection by S cells - -> secretion of large volume, low in enzyme conc - fatty acids, monoglycerides, peptides -> CCK - -> enzyme rich pancreatic juice - distension and osmolarity -> mechanoreceptors
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Components of bile
Secreted by hepatocytes and stored in gallbladder - 65% bile acid - emulsify lipids - 20% phospholipids - 4% cholesterol - 0.3% bile pigments
105
Enterohepatic circulation
Happens multiple times per day, more if after a protein/fat rich meal - bile acids reabsorbed from ileum - reabsorbed bile acids are returned to liver and taken up by hepatocytes - bile acids in blood stimulate uptake and release of bile acids from hepatocytes, but inhibit the synthesis of new bile acids
106
Secretions of epithelial cells in small and large intestines
Mucus - protect mucosa, lubricate intestinal contents (from Brunner's glands in SI and crypts of Lieberkuhn in LI) Alkaline aqueous secretions - buffer gastric acid Enterokinase/peptidase - activate zymogens to proteases 1L/day pH 7.6 Isotonic (same osmolarity as plasma)
107
Small intestine vs large intestine
``` 6m long SI, 2.4m LI 300m² surface area SI, 25m² LI No villi in LI, flat surface with crypts (yes microvilli) No nutrient absorption in LI No active K⁺ secretion in SI ```
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Active K⁺ secretion in large intestine
Na/K ATPase, NKCC1 and K⁺ channel in basolateral membrance bring K⁺ in Apical K⁺ channel for K⁺ out, stimulated by cAMP Aldosterone upregulates the number of all protein channels
109
Electrical activities in small intestine
SLOW WAVE Intrinsic activity Duodenum most frequent, ileum slowest ACTION POTENTIAL BURSTS Only in short localised segments of intestine -> segmentation Regulated by hormones, autonomic and enteric NS (parasymp increases enteric, symp decreases enteric)
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Function of colonic contractions
To mix chyme, increase absorption of water and salts Knead semisolid contents Move contents towards anus -> segmentation Mass movement/peristalsis - due to gastrocolic reflex, stimulated by distension of stomach Directly controlled by enteric neurones
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Absorption in the small intestine
Food remains in small intestine for 3-8 hours Fat digestion products (water, water- and lipid-soluble small molecules) move by facilitated transport Carbohydrates and proteins absorb by facilitated transport Carbohydrates also absorb by active transport Larger molecules absorb by endocytosis
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Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in small intestine
Mainly in duodenum, then jejunum, then ileum Carbohydrates (amylopectin, glycogen, cellulose) - α-amylase - - > Oligosaccharides (α-dextrin, di- and trisaccharides) - > Glucose, galactose, fructose
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Digestion of oligosaccharides at brush border
4 enzymes in 3 functional units: SUCRASE-ISOMALTASE - S - maltose, maltotriose, sucrose -> glucose + fructose - I - maltose, maltotriose, α-limit dextrins -> glucose monomers MALTASE - maltase, maltotriose -> glucose monomers LACTASE - lactose -> galacatose + glucose These enzymes are NOT rate limiting, transporters on apical membrane are
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Absorption of carbohydrate breakdown products from lumen into epithelial cells
SGLT1 (sodium coupled glucose cotransporter 1) for glucose, galactose GLUT5 for facilitated diffusion of fructose
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Absorption of carbohydrate breakdown products from epithelial cells to interstitial space
GLUT2 for facilitated diffusion of glucose, galactose and fructose
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Absorption of protein in small intestine
Mainly in duodenum, then jejunum, then ileum Proteins - proteases - - > amino acids, tripeptides, dipeptides Amino acids diffuse straight into cell Di/tripeptides cotransported in with H⁺, then peptidases break down to form amino acids intracellularly Amino acids transported out by Na⁺ independent transporter into blood. (many mechanisms for amino acids into cell, some use H⁺ and Na⁺ as cotransporters)
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Digestion and absorption of fat in small intestine
Mainly in jejunum, then duodenum, then ileum Bile acids emulsified to form emulsion droplets, then form free fatty acids and monoglycerides when mixed with pancreatic lipase Free fatty acids combine with phospholipids, cholesterol and bile acid micelles to form a mixed micells Mixed micelle moves to unstirred acid layer, to chylomicron in epithelial cell, to lymph duct
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Absorption of Na⁺ in small intestine, different methods into cell
1 - cotransport in with glucose or amino acid via SGLT1 2 - exchanged for H⁺ (stimulated by HCO₃⁻ in lumen) 3 - Na/H works with Cl⁻/HCO₃⁻ in fasting state 4 - diffusion across simple Na⁺ transporter
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Absorption of Cl⁻ in small intestine, different methods into cell
1 - Voltage gated Cl⁻ channels 2 - Cl⁻/HCO₃⁻ works with Na/H in fasting state Cl⁻ secretion in crypts is stimulated by cAMP, via CFTR
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Absorption of water soluble vitamins
``` B1 (thiamine) B2 (riboflavin) Niacin C Folic acid B6 B12 ``` All diffusion by facilitated transport, cotransported with Na⁺ receptor-mediated endocytosis
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Absorption of fat soluble vitamins
A D E K Diffusion facilitated by bile
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Vitamin B12 absorption
With R factor (haptocorrin) in stomach | With intrinsic factor in small intestine, combine and use IF-B12 receptor complex
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Functions of the colon
Absorption of water (1.9L/day - 2L in, 100ml out in stool) Storage Mass peristalsis Some nutritional role?
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Anorectal function
Reservoir Pelvic floor muscles act as sling to support bowel - internal anal sphincter gives resting tone, external anal sphincter is skeletal, under own control via pudendal nerve
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Diagnosis of constipation
Infrequent bowel movements (normal varies - 3 in 1 day or 1 in 3 days) Straining Passing of hard stool Loaded colon palpable Only a problem if its a problem for the individual More in women than men
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Investigations for constipation
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy to rule out organic disease (non-functional), eg obstruction, cancer - Blood tests to rule out metabolic disorders (hormonal imbalance) - Swallow radio markers and Xray for next 3 days to measure colonic transit - Proctography (evacuation)
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Evacuatory disorders
Includes slow transit constipation, normal transit constipation, outlet obstruction Usually outlet obstruction Often post menopausal women who have had vaginal births, pelvic floor weakness (or no uterus) Anismus = inappropriate gate closing
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Normal defecation
Propulsive colonic contraction Sensation of 'call to stool' - correct environment and posture important - Raised intrabdominal pressure Relaxation of striated muscle of pelvic floor Opening of anorectal angle
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Disordered sensation
= No sensation that bowels are filling, so ignore call to stool -> megarectum, rectum so enlarged that it pushes organs away and distends belly Due to spinal problems, or can be acquired behaviour
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Internal anal sphincter dysfunction
Rectoanal inhibitory reflex exists to move stool close to anus, so can detect how much there and what consistency, then it moves stool back again Hirschsprungs = no detection, so leakage. OR constant closure, can't pass stool.
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Anismus
Increased recruitment of striated muscle in pelvic floor Inappropriate gate closing No relaxation for defecation, contracting against shut gate is very painful
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Evaluating evacuatory disorders
``` Obstetric history (prolonged childbirth, use of forceps etc) History of abuse or psychological reasons for delaying defecation Examination Investigations - anorectal physiology, defecating proctography (contrast into rectum, defecate in front of Xray - unreliable, as often anxious/embarrassed), colonic transit test ```
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Management of evacuatory disorders
Conservative, usually no surgery. Multidisciplinary: Dietary advice Laxatives (if long term, may desensitize bowel) Establish routine Suppositories/enema to self manage Squatting posture Biofeedback - attempt to train pelvic floor relaxation, EMG or manometric feedback devices Surgery: Subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis - remove all colon and plumb SI onto rectum Ventral mesh retropexy - put mesh in, to lift and support bowel. Risk of erosion into vagina and rectum STARR - cut away the donut of bowel not working and stitch back
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Faecal incontinence causes
``` Obstetric injury Trauma Iatrogenic Neurological Overflow from severe constipation ```
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Management of faecal incontinence
Loperamide syrup to make stool more solid, easier control Suppositories/enema - maybe use just before leaving house if only leaving ~2 per week Colonic irrigation, can be daily Surgery - anterior repair of external anal sphincter, gracilis neosphincter (muscle from leg), artificial bowel sphincter, sacral nerve stimulation at pudendal origin (SNS - easy, low risk, expensive)
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Disorders of absorption definitions - malabsorption, malnutrition
Malabsorption - Failure of the intestinal processes of digestion, or transport across the intestinal mucosa into the systemic circulation Malnutrition - Deficiency of nutrients causes measurable adverse effects on tissue composition, function or clinical outcome
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Intestinal failure
A reduction in functioning gut mass to below amount required for adequate digestion and absorption of food. Type I - self-limiting - eg after handling in surgery or infection, is floppy, atonic, bloated, can't eat - settles on its own Type II - severe, requiring temporary support - eg if stomach removed, need total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or jejunual feeding tube Type III - chronic, requiring long term nutritional support - eg if small bowel infarction
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Have vs need of small and large bowel
Have 6m small bowel, need 120cm | Have 1m large bowel, need none
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Mechanisms of absorption
Luminal processing - carbs, fats and proteins hydrolysed and solubilised (pancreatic and biliary action) Mucosal absorption - uptake of saccharides and peptides, lipids processed and packaged for cellular export Transfer into circulation - absorbed nutrients enter the vascular or lymphatic circulation
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Presenting features of a disorder of absorption
``` Diarrhoea Weight loss Pain/bloating (inflammation or obstruction) Anaemia (Fe/B12/folate deficiency) Neurological symptoms Bleeding (K deficiency) Metabolic (calcium, D deficiency) ```
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Causes of malabsorption
``` COMMON Resection Fistula Inflammation Coeliac disease RARE Small bowel diverticulitis Whipple's disease Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency Parasitic infection ```
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Vitamin B12 deficiency
If terminal ileum removed, lose intrinsic factor Pernicious anaemia is autoimmune So loss of gastric parietal cells and associated intrinsic factor
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Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency
Insufficient production of amylase lipase and protease, causes steatorrhoea and malabsorption Diagnosed with - faecal fat, faecal elastase, cross sectional imaging
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Crohn's disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, like ulcerative colitis Chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine Occurs anywhere from mouth to anus, mainly small intestine and colon Patchy inflammation with ulceration (discontinuous) Transmural, all layers of gut affected Peaks of incidence at 15-25 and 50-60 yo More common in northern latitudes and developed nations
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Symptoms of Crohn's disease
Pain - constant, or in waves as peristalsis tries to push down Diarrhoea - may be bloody Weight loss - due to loss of appetite and poor absorption Fatigue (partly due to anaemia, hard to treat) Rectal bleeding
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Causes of IBD
Genetics - NOD2/CARD15 gene mutation has 40x increased risk. Polygenetic influence Gut bacteria - reduced diversity, adherent invasive E coli Immune system Environment
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Features of Crohn's
Abnormal mucus (thick in crohn's, thin in UC) Abnormal permeability (leaky bowel wall) - tight junction defects, may be secondary to inflammation Autophagy - to provide nutrients under starvation conditions and kill ingested bacteria Dysregulated inflammation - more recruitment of inflammatory cells
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Treatment for Crohn's disease
- Glucocorticoids (not long term as side effects) - Bowel rest by diet or diversion - eg elemental diet of amino acid cocktail - Immunosuppressives - AZATHIOPINE (to decrease T cell proliferation) and METHOTREXATE - Surgery to remove diseased bowel segment (but 2/3 people will have reoccurence at join) - Biological agents - anti TNF - expensive and effects will wear off
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Investigations of the GI tract
Xray used for all sites, fast and cheap CT/MRI for better detail, especially in trauma Oesophagus, stomach and duodenum - endoscopy, barium swallow Small bowel - MRI, barium meal Colon - colonoscopy
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Key radiological signs
Narrowed ileum - Crohn's Apple core - carcinoma Coiled intestine - intussusception
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``` Definitions: Hyperplasia Hypertrophy Metaplasia Dysplasia ```
Hyperplasia - increase cell number by mitosis Hypertrophy - increase cell size Metaplasia - acquired form of altered differentiation (to different cell type Dysplasia - abnormal growth and differentiation of a tissue, often pre malignant
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Risk factors for oesophageal tumours
``` GORD Use of antacids Caustic injury Cigarettes Alcohol Stricture Achalasia Barrett's oesophagus (normal stratified squamous epithelium lining is replaced by simple columnar epithelium, response to reflux from below) ```
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TNM staging - Tumour
T0: no cancer Tis: carcinoma in situ, only in top layer T1: in lamina propria and the submucosa T2: in muscularis propria, into but not through the muscle wall T3: in adventitia, through the entire muscle wall into surrounding tissue. T4: outside the organ into areas around it, eg aorta, trachea, diaphragm, pleural lining of lung
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TNM staging - Node
N0: not in any lymph nodes N1: spread to 1 or 2 lymph nodes nearby N2: spread to 3 to 6 lymph nodes nearby N3: spread to 7 or more lymph nodes nearby
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TNM staging - Metastasis
M0: The cancer has not spread to other parts of the body M1: The cancer has spread to another part of the body
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Risk factors for gastric cancer
``` High salt, low dairy diet Helicobacter Intestinal metaplasia Pernicious anaemia Family history ```
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Risk factors for colorectal cancer
``` Age Polyps Sedentery lifestyle Poor diet - high red meat, low dairy, garlic, vegetables Obesity Alcohol Family history Inflammatory bowel disease Hereditary syndromes - Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Hereditary non polyposis CRC (HNPCC) Raised inflammation ```
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Development of CRC
``` Normal epithelium - stimulation of proliferation in basal crypt - Hyperproliferation - proliferation in upper crypt - Early adenoma - inhibition of apoptosis in upper crypt - Intermediate adenoma Late adenoma - growth factors - Cancer ```
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Colorectal polyps
Protuberant growths of epithelial or mesenchymal origin Neoplastic or non neoplastic, benign or malignant - inflammatory - hamartomatous - neoplastic 95% of CRC arises from adenomas - increased risk if bigger, more numerous, more villi, more dysplastic
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Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
``` Autosomal dominant Germline mutation in APC > 100 polyps, start to appear as teenager CRC in 40s-50s Surgery or chemoprevention to remove ```
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Hereditary non polyposis CRC (HNPCC)
= lynch syndrome Defect in mismatch repair genes (MMR) Multiple tumours but no polyposis CRC diagnosed aged 45 ish, 80% will get CRC
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Infective gastroenteritis
Mainly viral, or can be bacterial or parasitic Toxins, cell lysis from viral invasion, tissue damage, inflammation etc -> increase peristalsis and damage villi to disrupt absorptive capacity
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Rotavirus
Main worldwide cause of gastroenteritis in children (most will have before age 5, so immune to that strain) Virus - wheel shaped, non-enveloped, many strains Transmitted faeco-orally, very contagious Symptoms - diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps, fever
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Norovirus
Main worldwide cause of gastroenteritis in adults (and children in UK) Peaks in winter months (vomiting bug) Frequent recombination, so many diverse strains Transmitted via food and water (shellfish especially), aerosol person-person Don't retain immunity for long Often outbreaks in institutions Abrupt onset, highly infectious Symptoms - nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, low fever, myalgia
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Treatment of gastroenteritis
Infection control! Rehydration by IV fluids Antibiotics if immunocompromised bacterial infection Inform HPA of notifiable disease
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Escherichia coli
Range of strains, some commensal, some highly pathogenic O or H antigens -> gastroenteritis, UTIs, bacteraemia
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E coli O157 strain
Produces verocytotoxin Causes gastroenteritis -> blood diarrhoea, abdominal tenderness Can -> HUS (haemolytic uraemic syndrome): renal failure, haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia Transmitted by contaminated food and water, zoonosis in direct animal contact
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Shigella
Invades colonic mucosal cells and releases toxins eg shiga (inhibits protein synthesis, cell detah, vascular damage) Very contagious (low infective dose needed) Transmitted person-person, food/water. Common in overcrowding. Causes gastroenteritis -> abdominal cramps, mucoid/bloody diarrhoea (dysentry), fever, vomiting
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Campylobacter jejuni
Most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis FOOD POISONING, often undercooked meat, zoonotic Increasing prevalence with antibiotic use in farm animals -> resistance Abrupt onset of abdominal pain, then diarrhoea (bloody/mucoid), vomiting Can cause GI haemorrhage following bacteraemia, toxic megacolon, reactive arthritis, Guillian-Barre syndrome
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Salmonella
Inc S. typhi (typhoid fever) Food/water bourne, faeco-oral, zoonotic in reptiles FOOD POISONING -> vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, fever, cramping, or typhoid fever is more systemic Non typhoidal is self limiting usually, typhoid fever needs IV cetriaxone (typhoid vaccine in endemic areas)
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Bacillus cereus
FOOD POISONING Spores survive heating, germinate when rice kept warm Ingestion of toxin stimulates adenylate cyclase, increasing water and electrolyte secretion, vagal nerve stimulation
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Clostridium botulinum
Neurotoxin (most potent) Blocks release of ACh at NMJ, mainly in peripheral NS FOOD POISONING (often from poor canning procedures) or wound botulism (often IV drug users) or infant botulism Causes GI symptoms, progressing to descending flaccid paralysis Fatal 10% due to respiratory or cardiac failure, or slow recovery (months) Treat in intensive care for organ support, antitoxin
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Clostridium difficile
Main antibiotic-associated diarrhoea In 3% healthy adults Thrives in disruption of normal gut flora following antibiotics Toxins -> fluid secretion, mucosal inflammation, cell damage Spores into air, so vulnerable hospital patients will get (-> pseudomembranous colitis)
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Vibrio cholerae
Inhabit salt water worldwide Transmitted by infected food or water (often shellfish), or faeco-oral Needs high infective dose (not very infectious) Endotoxin activates adenylate cyclase, so mass water and electrolyte loss into gut lumen -> profuse 'rice water' diarrhoea 50% mortality if untreated
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Giardia lamblia
Flagellated protazoa (parasite) Can be asymptomatic, or gastroenteritis symptoms Treat with METRONIDAZOLE
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Entaemoba histolytica
Flagellated protazoa (parasite) Can be asymptomatic, or gastroenteritis symptoms Treat with METRONIDAZOLE
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Cytosporidium
Protazoan Common in AIDs patients Waterbourne, ingest eggs (oocysts)
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Herpes viridae family Lies dormant and reactivates when immunosuppressed Infects many cell types Glandular fever like presentation
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Helicobacter pylori
Adapts to gastric conditions by producin urease to neutralise gastric acid -> chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric adenocarcinoma, lymphoma
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Important to know pharmacokinetics
- need to know if drug will be absorbed if given by a specific route - need to know where drugs go inside the body, to which receptors - dosage - drug metabolites
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Major routes of drug administration - ENTERAL (to GI tract)
Oral - easiest, but only if willing to take (awake), and is slow acting, 1st pass metabolism as goes via liver Sublingual - rapid, but only few drugs can cross mucous membrane into blood Rectal - good as can be administered if eg seizing, sometimes easier than IV (small children), local effects only so few side effects
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Major routes of drug administration - PARENTERAL
IV - rapid, as no absorption needed, but sometimes difficult access and sometimes infection Intramuscular - can control rate of release if packaged in oily vehicle, but very painful Subcutaneous - easy to self administer Inhalation - large SA in lungs for absorption, but technique required Intranasal - local or general effect, easy even with children Locally - epidural, intravaginal, intraarticular, eye drops, creams, transdermal patches etc
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Oral bioavailability
Fraction of orally administered drug that is absorbed into the systemic circulation = 1 if all drug given is absorbed into circulation following oral administration Reduced if - poor absorption from gut, breakdown of drug in gut, first pass effect (drug passes liver before going into systemic circulation, so enzymes can break down drug and reduce availability)
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Factors effecting drug absorption at a membrane
Lipid solubility of drug - drugs need to cross membranes by passive diffusion, so high lipid solubility -> more likely to be absorbed pKa of drug (pH at which it is 50% ionised) pH at absorbing surface Area of absorbing surface Rate of blood flow to other side of absorbing surface Rate of dissolution of preparation
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Ion trapping
Most drugs are either weak acids or weak bases, so exist ionised or unionised depending on pKa and pH of solution Membranes separate solutions of different pH as only unionised can cross, so trap some Drugs are rarely strong acids, as they would always be ionised and would never cross membranes Use pH = pKa + log ([ionised]/[unionised]) to calculate rate for different locations - eg if low number then more unionised than ionised, so good absorption from (stomach), vs high number in plasma so drug stays ---> ion trapping
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Drug distribution
= Penetration of drug into tissues and organs from the blood Degree of distribution depends on lipid solubility and extent of plasma protein binding Measured with Vd (Apparent volume of distribution)
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Vd (Apparent volume of distribution)
= the volume of water in which the drug would have to be distributed to give its plasma concentration To measure drug distribution Vd = amount of drug in body / concentration in plasma - expressed as volume or volume/mass Helps determine plasma half life of drug, can be used to design dosing schedules
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Drug elimination
= excretion + metabolism (excretion in bile, urine, vomit, faeces, milk) (metabolism in liver mainly, metabolites out to urine)
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Half life of drug
t₀.₅ = the plasma half life of a drug, the time it takes for the plasma concentration of a drug to fall to half of its initial value
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Quantification of elimination
= clearance x Cp (plasma concentration)
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Clearance
Clearance = rate of elimination / plasma concentration Clearance is the amount of plasma which is cleared of its drug content in unit time Useful measure, as rate of elimination varies with Cp whilst clearance stays constant (Rate of elimination increases with increased Cp)
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Kinetics of drug elimination - zero order
Straight line diagonally down Process is rate independent of drug concentration, t₀.₅ varies depending on how much drug is administered Elimination rate is saturated Few drugs
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Kinetics of drug elimination - pseudo-zero order
``` Zero order (straight line) at high concentrations Then at lower concentrations, no longer saturated so becomes first order ```
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Kinetics of drug elimination - first order
Most common, with constant half life | drug absorption into blood is also usually first order
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Drug elimination equations
Ct = C₀ x e⁻ᵏᵗ ``` Ct = plasma conc at time t C₀ = plasma conc at time 0 k = rate constant of elimination ``` t₀.₅ = (0.693 x Vd) / clearance Vd = volume distribution More complicated clinically! Different rates into different tissues
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Css
Css = steady state concentration, where rate of infusion = rate of elimination Eliminated by first order process Rate of elimination increases with increasing Cp At steady state: Rate of elimination = Css x clearance
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Rate of infusion
Rate of infusion = Css x clearance (as infusion rate = elimination rate) Takes 5 half lives to reach Css, regardless of infusion rate, and then 5 half lives to return to 0 A loading of infusion before a maintenance infusion ensures therapeutic effects quickly, and avoids wiggly oral dosing line
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Oral dosing
Cssₐᵥ = DxF / TxCl Steady state average = individual dose x oral bioavailability / time interval between doses x clearance With fewer but larger doses, there is more variation in Cp, but too many small doses are inconvenient
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Drug excretion via the kidney influenced by:
1 - glomerular filtration, for free drug not bound to protein 2 - active secretion of drugs and metabolites (pump, eg penicillin) 3 - passive reabsorption, for all lipid soluble drugs So only non-lipid soluble drugs and metabolites end up in urine So reduced renal function will prolong plasma half life of drug, and get to higher steady state plasma concentrations. If drug eliminated by hepatic metabolism, reduced renal function will have no effect, and vice versa.
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Hepatocytes
Arranged into lobules, with a central vein in the middle and a triad of hepatic portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct at each corner Periportal hepatocytes - close to corners, get blood rich in nutrients Perivenous hepatocytes - close to centre, blood supply is depleted of nutrients So cells have different metabolic profiles
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Liver diseases
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (obesity) Alcoholic fatty liver disease, toxin induced Hepatitis Cancer Autoimmune disease Inborn error, enzyme disorders -> cirrhosis and metabolic disturbances, response to injury or death of some liver cells by the production of interlacing strands of fibrous tissue between nodules of regenerating liver. Sometimes reversible (eg alcoholic)
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Roles of liver, and consequence of disease
Carbohydrate metabolism - fasting hypoglycaemia Lipid metabolism - fatty liver Amino acid metabolism - hyperammonaemia Serum protein synthesis - low serum albumin, impaired blood clotting Metabolism and secretion of xenobiotics - impaired drug metabolism, hyperbilirubinaemia
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Role of liver in glucose homeostasis
FED STATE -> glycolysis Uses glucokinase, low affinity for glucose (so picks up if high concentrations) FASTED STATE -> gluconeogenesis Uses glucose-6-phosphatase, only present in liver and kidney
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Cori cycle
In muscle, glycogen -> lactate, losing ATP in glycolysis to allow rapid contraction In liver, lactate -> glycogen, gaining ATP to use in gluconeogenesis during recovery
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Lipid metabolism in liver
- storage of fatty acids as TAG in liver cell - oxidation of free fatty acids to generate AcCoA - oxidation of AcCoA by the citric acid cycle - generation of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation FASTING - production of ketone bodies to be exported and used by other tissues FED - conversion of AcCoA to cholesterol - export and import of free fatty acids, which will then bind to albumin in the blood - export of TAG as VLDL - synthesis of free fatty acids from glucose
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Fatty liver disease
TAG accumulates as intracellular fat droplets, steatosis | Liver is not designed to store much TAG, so compromised function -> steatohepatitis
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Amino acid metabolism
Excess amino acids cannot be stored, so their metabolism/degradation takes preference over that of excess carbohydrate and fat Ammonia is immediate natural breakdown product, highly toxic
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Destination of dietary protein
Dietary protein ↓ Amino acids ↓ (options) 1) synthesis to cell proteins 2) exported 3) synthesis of other cellular components 4) transamination/deamination, and synthesis of urea 5) gluconeogenesis from carbon skeleton 6) entry to the citric acid cycle, produce CO₂ 7) conversion to AcCoA, then to fatty acids 8) alanine cycle
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Alanine cycle
In muscle, glucose -(glycolysis)-> pyruvate -> alanine In liver, alanine -> pyruvate -(gluconeogenesis)-> glucose Alanine is a source of power for gluconeogenesis, providing a carbon skeleton and transporting NH₄⁺ in a non toxic form
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Hyperammonaemia
Where blood ammonia > 10μm Hepatic ammonia comes from: - gut - bacterial action on nitrogenous compounds and glutamine metabolism by intestinal cells -> NH₄⁺ - liver - dietary amino acids -> NH₄⁺ - muscle - protein -> amino acids -> alanine, glutamine -> NH₄⁺ SO high ammonia in portal vein
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Hepatic encephalopathy
Where blood ammonia > 50μm Associated with advanced liver disease -> disorientation, confusion, lethargy, coma, death Consequence of severe hyperammonaemia, hypoglycaemia and accumulation of other toxic substances Interferes with function of GABA in neurotransmission, with brain metabolism and causes changes in structure and morphology of brain
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Deamination of amino acids in liver
To form α-keto acids, α-ketoglutarate (-> pyruvate) Using aminotransferases (alanine ALT and aspartate AST). An increase in these indicates liver damage! Also uses glutamate dehydrogenase and glutaminase
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Fate of glutamate in liver
1) Oxidative deamination via glutamate dehydrogenase to produce NH₄⁺ Glutamate + NAD -> α-ketoglutarate + NADH + NH₄⁺ 2) Transamination via AST to produce aspartate Glutamate + oxaloacetate -> aspartate + α-ketoglutarate Both NH₄⁺ and aspartate can then join into the urea cycle Therefore, genetic defects in urea cycle -> hyperammonaemia, mental retardation
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Ammonia metabolism in liver
Most NH₄⁺ is processed in perportal cells, to become urea | Some NH₄⁺ escapes processing and so perivenous cells are efficient back up mechanism to convert to glutamine
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Glutamine metabolism
In kidneys Glutamine from perivenous cells in liver will be converted back to NH₄⁺ and HCO₃⁻ via glutaminase Then all NH₄⁺ will be converted to urea and lost to urine Glutaminase has two isoenzymes in liver and kidneys, subject to different regulation The liver glutaminase produces an allosteric activator of CPS enzyme in urea cycle, N-acetylglutamate
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Role of liver in pH homeostasis
Urea synthesis inhibited by acidosis - as urea synthesis consumes bicarbonate and produces H⁺, so inhibition acts to increase pH Glutamine synthesis is stimulated by acidosis, so increases NH₄⁺ use, detoxifying
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Glutaminase regulation by pH
Liver glutaminase is inhibited by acidosis, so decreasing the production of the allosteric activator of urea cycle Kidney glutaminase is activated by acidosis, so increasing glutamine breakdown and release of NH₄⁺, and increasing HCO₃⁻, so increasing pH
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Haem breakdown in liver
Red blood cells taken up by reticuloendothelial system at end of lifespan and broken down Released Hb is broken down to amino acids + free iron + haem group
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Bilirubin metabolism in liver
Haem group then converted to bilirubin, which binds to albumin as UNCONJUGATED BILIRUBIN This then taken up by liver and conjugated in SER to polar group to make it water soluble -> CONJUGATED BILIRUBIN. This is catalysed by UDP glucuronyl transferase Conjugated bilirubin then excreted in bile or converted to urobilinogen in gut and excreted from gut
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Hepatic jaundice
Bilirubin is yellow, so discoloration of skin and sclera of eyes in hyperbilirubinaemia Result of decreased uptake, decreased conjugation and decreased transfer of conjugated bilirubin to bile Increases blood conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin Increases urinary conjugated bilirubin Increases urinary urobilinogen Decreased faecal urobilinogen
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Post-hepatic jaundice
Caused by obstruction of biliary system - gallstones, cancer of head of pancreas, primary biliary cirrhosis Increases blood conjugated bilirubin Increases urinary conjugated bilirubin No urinary or faecal urobilinogen
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Pre-hepatic jaundice
When greatly increased haem breakdown - caused by trauma, haemolysis, thalassemia - so increased bilirubin supply to gut Increases blood unconjugated bilirubin Increases urinary urobilinogen Increased faecal urobilinogen
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Neonatal jaundice
Common, in 60% newborns Build up of bilirubin due to low UDP glucuronyl transferase activity Treated with blue fluorescent light to convert bilirubin to soluble form that can be excreted In excess -> in brain, toxic encephalopathy, kernicterus -> brain damage Increased blood unconjugated bilirubin No urinary or faecal urobilinogen
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Types of gallstones
Cholesterol stones - crystallised cholesterol, due to imbalance in bile components Mixed stones - crystallised cholesterol precipitated with bile pigments Pigment stones - calcium bilirubinate, due to deconjugation of bilirubin mono- and di- glucoronides
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Risk factors for gallstones
``` Fair Fat Female Fertile Forty (+) ``` Rapid weight loss or gain Diabetes
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Gallbladder
40-50ml capacity | but liver secretes 600ml daily - concentrates bile 5-10x
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Symptoms of gallstones
(15% of population have, 80% of these asymptomatic) Biliary colic - spasm of gallbladder wall to try to shift lodged stone in neck of cystic duct Acute cholecystitis - in prolonged impaction -> inflammation of gallbladder -> overgrowth of bacteria, infection Chronic cholecystitis - repeated episodes of acute inflammation -> fibrosis and thickening of gallbladder wall, chronically colonised bile
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Types of biliary obstruction
Anatomical: Intraluminal - in tube (stones, polyps) Mural - abnormal wall (tumour, stricture, scarring) Extramural - outside pressing in (nodes, pseudocyst) Disease: Benign or malignant
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Symptoms of biliary obstruction
Icterus (jaundice) - clearest in sclera, under tongue, nail beds, soles of feet Pale floaty stools, dark urine Pruritis - itching
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Benign causes of biliary obstruction and extra symptoms
Stones Pancreatitis - painful - fever, rigors - tenderness - impalpable gallbladder
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Malignant causes of biliary obstruction and extra symptoms
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma Cholangiocarcinoma (cancer of ducts) Malignant porta hepatis lymph nodes - painless - palpable gallbladder
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Investigations into biliary obstruction
ULTRASOUND - look for intrahepatic duct dilation, duct stones, gallstones, mass CHOLANGIOGRAPHY - Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio(Pancreato)graphy = ERCP - camera into duodenum, inject dye to papilla -percutaeous, intraoperative, magnetic resonance cholangiography - invasive so not 1st line CROSS SECTIONAL IMAGING CT usually, then MRI to look for masses (CT won't show gallstones)
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Biliary obstruction therapy
``` ENDOSCOPIC (ERCP) Sphincterotomy/stone retrieval Stent/dilatation PERCUTANEOUS (through liver) Stent/dilatation SURGERY Bile duct exploration Tumour resection Bypass (loop of SI attached to bile duct higher up to avoid blockage, give longer lasting relief) ```
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Acute pancreatitis definition and causes
= acute inflammation of the pancreas associated with pancreatic duct obstruction and autodigestion - gallstones - alcohol - idiopathic - autoimmune, familial, viruses, ERCP complication
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Symptoms of acute pancreatitis
``` Severe abdominal pain Increased serum amylase and lipase Ileus (gut slows peristalsis) Vomiting Tenderness Fever Tachypnoea Tachycardia Jaundice (if stone still present) Intravascular hypovolaemia ```
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Chronic pancreatitis
= chronic inflammation and fibrosis, destruction of tissue and architectural changes Progressive, continues even if remove causative factor Endocrine and exocrine insufficiency Increased risk of malignancy Increased risk of pseudoaneurysm, bleeding
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Causes of chronic pancreatitis
``` Alcohol Idiopathic Familial Hypercalcaemia Autoimmune ```
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Morbidity triad of GI infection
Diarrhoea malnutrition infection
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Increase in GI infections due to
``` Intensive farming Global distribution Mass production New microbes Convenience food Antibiotic use on farm animals -> resistance ```
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Functions of gut flora
METABOLIC - fermentation of non-digestible dietary residue and gut mucus - salvages energy as short-chain fatty acids - produce vitamin K TROPHIC (nutrition) - control of epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation - development and maintenance of immune system PROTECTIVE - against pathogens, barrier effect
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Normal colonisers of GI tract
Many in mouth Fewer in stomach due to acidic environment Mainly anaerobes in small and large intestines
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Peridontal disease
Streptococcus mutans Streptococci (gram +ve) Actinomycetes Anaerobic gram -ve
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Peptic ulcer disease and stomach cancer
Helicobacter pylori
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Predisposing factors for GI infections
``` Newborn infants - don't have developed protective flora Malnutrition Contaminated food/water Antibiotic use - suppresses normal flora Hypo/achlorhydria - lacking stomach acid Immunodeficiency ```
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Causative agents of gastroenteritis
Viral - rotavirus, noravirus, adenovirus Bacterial - campylobacter, E coli, shigella, salmonella, vibrio cholerae Parasitic - giardia lamblia
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Mechanisms of gastroenteritis
TOXINS - enterotoxins (V. cholerae, S. aureus) -> secretory diarrhoea, opens channels. - cytotoxins (Shigella, E. coli 0157, C. diff) -> inflammatory diarrhoea, damages lining ATTACHMENT - inhibiting absorption/secretion DIRECT INVASION IMPAIRED REABSORPTION
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Non-inflammatory GI infection
Enterotoxin or adherence mechanism See nothing on colonoscopy V. cholerae, viruses, food poisoning -> secretory diarrhoea
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Inflammatory GI infection
Invasion or cytotoxin mechanism See inflammation on colonoscopy Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella enteritidis, Clostridium difficile -> inflammatory diarrhoea
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Penetrating GI infection
``` See bacteraemia (bacteria in blood) Salmonella typhi, Yersinia enterocolitica ```
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Complications of gastroenteritis
Dehydration, shock, MOF (multiple organ failure), death Electrolyte disturbances - hypokalaemia, acidosis Sepsis Toxic megacolon Perforation Ileus -> obstruction Intussusception
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Delayed complications of gastroenteritis
``` Reactive arthritis Guillan-Barre syndrome Transverse myelitis Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome Chronic fatigue Irritable bowel syndrome Inflammatory bowel disease ```
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Types of Escherichia coli
ENTEROTOXIGENIC E.COLI - cause of infant diarrhoea, traveller's diarrhoea - self limiting ENTEROPATHOGENIC - diarrhoea in tropics, rarely developed world - self limiting ENTEROHAEMMORHAGIC - eg 0157 E.coli - zoonotic, usually after eating meat can -> HUS - micro-angiopathic anaemia, acute renal failure, thrombocyopenia
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Food poisoning
Toxin- mediated, quick onset as no need for bacterial multiplication Vomiting, sometimes also diarrhoea
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Presentation of ulcerative colitis
Bloody diarrhoea (3+ loose or liquid stools per day (200g+)) No pain May be acute and severe Prolonged Possible joint, skin, mouth symptoms also ``` Fever/tachycardia Anaemia Clubbing Abdominal tenderness ---> possible, may look well ```
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Investigations for UC
If acute (less than 4 weeks), consider infection (travel), drugs eg ibuprofen Blood test - anaemia, inflammatory markers Sigmoid/colonoscopy - loss of surface layer, obvious mucus and blood Histology - glandular distortion, inflammation, crypt abscesses
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Epidemiology of UC
``` Usually begins in young adults Men and women equally affected Higher risk in UK than SE asia 15% have 1st degree relative with IBD 3x more common in non-smokers Appendectomy decreases risk ```
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Disease course of UC
``` Usually intermittent (75% do well), but some frequently relapse, some chronic continuous Usually returns less severe, and then becomes more severe as spreads up ```
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Categorisation of UC
SEVERE UC 6+ stools daily, bloody stools, fever, tachycardia, anaemia (mortality risk!!) MODERATE UC 4+ stools daily, minimal systemic effects MILD UC <4 stools daily, no systemic disturbance
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Treatment for UC
Steroids - 80% respond well, but many side effects Ciclosporin - cytotoxic agent CiA - bridge drug, not forever - immunosuppressant Infliximab - biologic agent Surgery - colectomy (remove all colon, risky), stoma (ileostomy bag), ileoanal pouch (artificial rectum, storage space and some control, but still 6-8 stools per day, risk of malignancy at anal margin) 5-ASA/Azathioprine - for long term maintenance - orally or enema/suppositories Combination therapy best!
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Children with IBD
Possible! Tends to be very severe Have to medicate off-license, as most medications limited to adults
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Risk of colorectal cancer in UC
The more severe, extensive and long-lasting the UC, the higher risk of CRC 7-30% will get, so some opt for colectomy Do surveillance colonoscopy to look for early signs of cancer 10 years after UC diagnosis, then repeat according to risk
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Drug in body ->
Drug -> inactive metabolites Drug -> active metabolites Drug -> toxic metabolites Prodrug -> drug (improved selectivity)
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Hepatic drug metabolism
Drug --phase I--> derivative --phase II--> conjugate Drug more lipid soluble, conjugate less, so drug will be reabsorbed in distal tubule Most drugs metabolised by more than one phase I or II pathway, so produce multiple metabolites Phase I - in ER - derivative formed by oxidation, reduction or hydrolysis - introduces or exposes a reactive site on drug molecule Phase II - in cytosol - conjugation of species formed in phase I with polar molecules, so less lipid soluble, so easier to excrete in urine
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Factors affecting drug metabolism
``` Enzyme induction Enzyme inhibition Genetic polymorphisms Disease Age ```
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Enzyme induction affecting drug metabolism
Some drugs increase expression of cytochrome p450 enzymes Can cause failure of other drugs to produce significant therapeutic effects Can also be autoinductors Half life decreases Time to steady state decreases Steady state Css decreases
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Enzyme inhibition affecting drug metabolism
``` Directly inhibit p450 enzymes Can increase adverse effects and toxicity in patients Half life increases Time to steady state increases Steady state Css increases ```
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Genetic polymorphisms affecting drug metabolism
Poor ability to metabolise drugs by some groups If all given same initial dose and Cp measured 6 hours later, have different responses. Fast acetylators Slow acetylators - mutation in phase II enzymes Can also influence therapeutic effects of prodrugs Increase or decrease activity of metabolising enzymes
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Disease affecting drug metabolism
Disease in liver function affects drugs metabolised in liver Disease in renal function affects drugs excreted unchanged in urine Disease in thyroid function affects liver metabolising enzymes (increased thyroid function increases metabolic rate) Disease in cardiovascular system affects rate of delivery of drug to liver/kidney This may influence drug treatment - digoxin is excreted unchanged in urine, but in renal disease increased half life increases toxicity, so give digitoxin instead which is metabolised in liver
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Age affecting drug metabolism
Decreased drug metabolism in the very young and the elderly, as less efficient kidneys and liver, more likely to get adverse effects
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Metabolism of paracetamol
Usually by 2 phase II reactions - But prolonged use saturates the phase II conjugating enzymes - Drug now metabolised by phase I to a toxic intermediate NAPQI - NAPQI can still be conjugated with glutathione, but when this is depleted, it reacts with cell proteins to cause hepatic cell damage -- fatal Treat with activated charcoal if within 24 hours of ingestion More effective if given sooner
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Hepatitis A
- transmitted faeco-orally or from close personal contact, travel virus - acute infection for ~6 months, not chronic - preventable by pre/post exposure immunisation Vaccinated if: > travelling outside europe, north america, australasia > close contact with someone with hep A/exposure at work > chronic liver disease > injecting drug user > blood clotting problems > MSM HAV-IgM in serum - acute infection HAV-IgG in serum - past infection
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Types of hepatitis B
Chronic persistent hepatitis - asymptomatic Chronic active hepatitis - symptomatic exacerbations Cirrhosis of liver Hepatocellular carcinoma - 90% children will get chronic infection - 95% adults will clear virus
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Progression of hepatitis B
Acute -> inactive hepatitis -> hepatitis -40 years on-> cirrhosis -> liver cancer HBsAg peaks, then IgM anti-HBc, then IgM anti-HBs HBeAg - transmissable HBeAb - low transmissability
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Epidemiology of hepatitis B
Primary infection route mother-child, many countries vaccinate at birth 30%+ of the world has been infected 25% will go on to develop serious liver disease 75% of all primary hepatocellular carcinoma occurs in HBV carriers
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Modes of transmission of hepatitis B
Most contractable from blood, serum, wound exudates. Also slightly from semen, vaginal fluid, saliva. Sexual - MSM and sex workers at risk Parenteral - health workers Perinatal - mother to child
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Treatment of hepatitis B
Interferon Lamivudine - if successful, no HBsAg or HBV-DNA, and increase in HBeAg
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Prevention of hepatitis B
Vaccination - very effective, given to those at increased risk. Routinely to neonates in some countries Hepatitis B immunoglobulin - HBIG protects those exposed to hep B if given within 48 hours
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Hepatitis C
~20% will get acute hepatitis -> recover ~80% will get chronic hepatitis -> 3% get hepatocellular carcinoma Symptoms begin like a mild viral infection, then -> chronic persistant hepatitis -> chronic active hepatitis -40 years on-> cirrhosis -> liver cancer Leading cause for liver transplant worldwide
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Risk factors for hepatitis C
Transfusion/transplant from infected donor Injecting drug use Haemodialysis Accidental sharps injuries Sexual or household exposure to anti HCV positive contact Multiple sexual partners Birth from an infected mother
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Types of HCV
6 major types Prevalence of each different in different countries Cause different kinds of diseases, and respond differently to treatment Most research done in those prevalent in developed world
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Diagnosing hepatitis C
HCV antibody - only after the acute phase, takes 4 weeks+ for antibody to appear HCV RNA - via PCR - can diagnose in early phase, but mainly to monitor response to antiviral therapy HCV antigen - via ELISA, as above but easier to carry out
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Prevention of hepatitis C
Screen and test donors Virus inactivation of plasma-derived products Risk reduction counselling Infection control
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Hepatitis E
= Calicivirus Acute, self limiting Mortality of 40%, fulminant liver failure in pregnant women Via gross faecal contamination of drinking water
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Liver function test
``` Bilirubin Enzymes - aminotransferases AST and ALT, and alkaline phosphatase Albumin Total protein Globulins ``` γGT (gamma glutamyl transferase) Clotting (prothrombin time) - marker of liver synthetic function - these two are extras, can be requested
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Liver enzymes
ALT - alanine aminotransferase - in very small amounts elsewhere AST - aspartate aminotransferase - also elsewhere ALP - alkaline phosphatase - also in bone and placenta γGT - gamma glutamyl transferase - specific to liver, but not to types of liver disease (tells us if disease in liver or not) ALP increases in cholestatic liver disease ALT increases in hepatocellular liver disease
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AST/ALT ratio
AST is raised in other conditions ALT is specific to liver AST/ALT ratio more than 1 - alcoholic liver damage AST/ALT ratio less than 1 - non-alcoholic liver damage (BMI over 30)
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Unconjugated vs conjugated bilirubin
UNCONJUGATED Insoluble in water Not in urine Prehepatic or hepatic jaundice if present CONJUGATED Soluble in water In urine Hepatic or post hepatic jaundice if present Liver turns unconjugated to conjugated Gut turns conjugated to urobilinogen
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Liver disease affecting drug metabolism
Cirrhosis decreases phase I metabolism, has no effect on phase II metabolism Acute alcohol exposure decreases rate of both phase I and II metabolism Chronic alcohol exposure to a healthy liver increases the drug metabolising activity Chronic alcohol exposure to a pathological liver decreases phase I metabolism
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Pituitary, thyroid and pancreas affecting hepatic drug metabolism
Pituitary gland - growth hormone inhibits hepatic drug metabolism, particularly in children Thyroid gland - thyroid hormones induce hepatic drug metabolism (normal = euthyroid) Pancreas - insulin induces hepatic drug metabolism