6.1 Liver Function + Pathology Flashcards
What molecules are stored in the liver?
Glycogen
Vitamins ( A, D, E, K B12)
Iron
Copper
What are the 2 main proteins produced by the liver?
Clotting factors
Albumin
What does the liver synthesise?
Glucose Lipids Cholesterol Bile Proteins
What are the important metabolic functions of the liver?
Metabolising: Bilirubin Ammonia Drugs Alcohol Carbohydrates Lipids
Why can decreased levels of albumin be detrimental?
Albumin is the main circulating protein. It helps maintain on otic pressure in intravascular space. Decrease in albumin can lead to oedema as fluid moves into cells due to decrease in on otic pressure in vessels.
What is decompensated liver disease?
Sudden onset of liver disease that happens acutely without previous history of liver pathology. Acute liver failure.
What are the more specific symptoms of liver disease?
Jaundice
Oedema/ascites
Bleeding
Confusion
What are the non-specific symptoms of liver disease?
Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Loss of appetite Fatigue
What causes jaundice?
A rise in circulating bilirubin due to impaired metabolism or abnormal accumulation (haemolytic anaemias)
Why are patients with reduced liver function likely to bruise easily?
Cant produce enough clotting factors and therefore bleed easily
What are common cause of acute liver disease?
Excessive alcohol intake
Paracetamol overdose
Viral ( EBV, CMV, Hepatitis)
Medications (aspirin in children)
What is cirrhosis?
Permanent irreversible liver damage due to inflammation, fibrosis and distortion of liver architecture. Results in impairment of function of liver
Why does cirrhosis lead to reduced function of the liver?
Fibrotic tissue form strict bands around the liver, forming nodules. This causes necrosis of hepatocytes and therefore decreased function of the liver.
How does a liver with cirrhosis appear?
Covered in nodules.
What are the 5 main causes for liver inflammation?
Drugs Infection Deposition Autoimmune Other
Excluding alcoholic liver disease, how else might liver disease be caused by drugs?
Iatrogenic
How does excessive alcohol intake cause Cirrhosis?
- initially cause fatty damage as alcohol stored in deposits on liver as TAGS
- results in Hepatomegaly
- chronic intake causes alcoholic hepatitis
- inflammation of the liver leads to irreversible scarring and cirrhosis.
How does alcoholic hepatitis present?
RUQ pain Jaundice Hepatomegaly Ascites Oedema
What infections can result in cirrhosis?
Hep B
Hep C
What are the main differences between Hep B and Hep C?
Hep B has a vaccine, Hep C doesn’t
Hep C can be cured, Hep B cant
Hep B is symptomatic, Hep C is asympatomatic
What is the main cause of Hep C in the UK?
Intravenous drug use
What are potential secondary complications due to infection by hepatitis B or C?
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Both can cause chronic infection and chronic inflammation. This can cause cirrhosis and malignancy.
