10 - Liver Function 1 Flashcards
What type of molecule is bilirubin?
Lipid soluble, derives from breakdown of RBCs by mononuclear phagocyte system.
Most important parameter of liver function
Bilirubin conc in the blood
Types of bilirubin
- Br1: Indirect, unconjugated. Binds to albumin. Formed in MPS cells.
- Br2: Direct, glucoronic acid conjugated, produced by hepatocytes with UDP-glucoronyl transferase enzyme, is excreted into the bile.
Transport molecules of bilirubin
Albumin and glucoronic acid
What is UBG?
Urobilinogen, the bacterially reduced form of Br (or stercobilinogen).
Where is UBG absorbed and excreted?
Absorbed in ileum and colon, into the circulation, where one part is taken up by hepatocytes and urea is formed, and the other part is filtered through the kidneys and excreted into urine. The rest is excreted from intestines into feces.
What samples are UBG determined from?
Urine samples. It is not measured from plasma.
Which dedicates are absorbed only at the special mucosa of the ileum?
UBG, vit.B12 and vile acids
When can Br be detected in the blood?
- When only slightly elevated: lab measuring methods
- When much higher than normal: visible yellow discolorizution of the plasma or serum. Can be depleted in fat and collagen containing tissue.
What disease and body region should be evaluated when we check increased Br?
Icterus of mucous membranes, esp. genital tract.
Major causes for of increased Br in serum or plasma
3 types of jaundices:
- Prehepatic (haemolysis)
- Hepatic (hepatocullular) (liver cell damage and damage of the intrahepatic structure that leads to leakage bw. sinusoids and biliary vessels)
- Posthepatic (cholestasis, obstruction of bile vessels and/or bile ducts)
How can bilirubin be oxidised?
- To greenish biliverdin (greenish urine)
- By sunlight
- If stored too long, esp at higher temp
Lab signs of bilirubinuria
Urine is dark yellow
Blood bilirubin measurement
- Methods
- Reagents
- Sample type
- Normal valúes
- “van den bergh” or “Grof-Jendrassik” reaction
- Sulphanilic avid and NaNO2
- Serum
- total Br: 8mikromol/l, horse: <40mikromol/l, direct Br: 0.2-3mikromol/l
Causes of increased Br 1 level in the serum
-Excess prod. due to incr. RBC destruction:
acute haemolysis
abs. of Hb following massive internal haemorrhage, or after big haematoma formation
transfusion of stored blood, which contains many dyeing or dead RBCs
-Decr. uptake of Br.I from the blood by liver cells:
impaired hepatic function
(acute haemolysis)
-Decr. rate of conjugation of Br I by liver cells:
impaired hepatic function
Causes of increased Br II level in the serum
-A few days after severe acute intravascular haemolysis (incr. prod.).
-Decr. excretion of Br II by liver cells:
impaired hepatic function
-Obstruction of bile canaliculi within the liver, often due to inflam. causing swelling of cells, or CT proliferation:
impaired hepatic function
-Obstruction of bile canaliculi due to blockage or compression of the bile duct: rupture of the biliary vessels or duct or gall bladder
What is bilirubinuria?
Br 2 (with glucoronic acid) in the urin
Where is most of the UBG taken up?
In the liver cells, the rest is filtered through the glomeruli from the kidneys
What does an increase of UBG in urine indicate?
Increased haemolysis or liver cell damage