Week 3 Pre-Learning: NAFLD, Liver Cirrhosis

Question 1

What does NAFLD stand for?

Answer 1

Non-Alcoholic fatty liver diseases

Question 2

What is NAFLD? (3)

Answer 2

• ranges from a simple fatty liver (no inflammation) to severe liver scarring and cirrhosis (NASH)
• Accumulation of fat in the liver cells (Hepatic Steatosis)
• Occurs in the absence of alcohol

Question 3

What is NAFLD associated with? (2)

Answer 3

• obesity and T2DM
• 75% of obese individuals will develop simple fatty liver, and 25% of those will develop NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)

Question 4

Is NAFLD symptomatic?

Answer 4

• usually asymptomatic and is undetected for years

Question 5

What is toxic and drug induced hepatitis?

Answer 5

• Agents producing toxic hepatitis are generally systemic poisons (carbon tetrachloride, gold compounds) or are those converted in the liver to toxic metabolites (ex. acetominophen, and alcohol)

Question 6

What generally occurs within 2-3 days of acute exposure to a toxic substance?

Answer 6

• Liver necrosis

Question 7

What is the difference between NAFLD and NASH?

Answer 7

• NAFLD is a fatty liver with no damage
• NASH has a fatty liver with inflammation or damage

Question 8

What is liver cirrhosis?

Answer 8

• Irreversible inflammatory and fibrotic liver disease

Question 9

What diseases lead to cirrhosis? (4)

Answer 9

• Viral Hepatitis (B and C)
• NAFLD
• toxic/drug induced Hepatitis
• autoimmune disorders

Question 10

What is the leading cause of cirrhosis?

Answer 10

excessive alcohol intake

Question 11

What is liver cirrhosis characterized by?

Answer 11

• Fibrosis (scar tissue) and conversion of normal liver architecture to abnormal nodules

Question 12

What occurs in liver cirrhosis? (3)

Answer 12

• regeneration process is disorganized
• New fibrous connective tissue is different from the normal lobule structure, leading to irregular size and shape
• Due to inadequate blood flow to the liver and scar tissue, the liver becomes hypoxic and receives poor nutrition, leading to hepatocyte dysfunction

Question 13

What are some complications of cirrhosis? (8)

Answer 13

• Portal HTN
• Varices
• Ascites and edema
• Hepatic encephalopathy
• Coagulopathy and anemia
• Biliary obstruction
• Hepatorenal syndrome
• Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis