Alcoholic Liver Disease Flashcards
How does Ethanol metabolism effect NADH/NAD ratio
Increases it
How does increased ethanol metabolism effect fatty acid synthesis in the liver
Increases it
How does ethanol effect fatty acid oxidation in the liver
Decreases it
What is the consequence of increased fatty acid synthesis and decreased oxidation
Hepatic accumulation of fatty acids which are esterified to glyceries
How does changed in oxidation-reduction effect carbs and protein metabolism
Impairs them - causes centrilobular necrosis od the hepatic acinus (typical of alcohol damage)
What do kupffer cells release in reaction to ethanol accumulation
TNF-alpha
Result of TNF-alpha release
Release of ROS leading to tissue injury and fibrosis
How is acetaldehyde formed
By the oxidation of ethanol and its effect on hepatic proteins could be a factor in producing liver cell damage
How does alcohol effect drugs
Enhance the effects of their toxic metabolites
Main causes of alcoholic liver disease
- Abuse
- Genetic predisposition
- Immunological mechanisms
How does fatty liver occur
- Metabolism of alcohol produces fat in liver
- No liver cell DAMAGE
- Sometimes, collagen lays down around central hepatic veins + this can progress to cirrhosis without a preceding hepatitis
How does alcohol effect stellate cells
Transforms them to myofibroblastic cells
Can fat disspear on stopping alcohol
Yes
How does alcoholic hepatitis occur
Infiltration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes and hepatocyte necrosis
Features of alcoholic hepatitis
Dense cytoplasmic inclusions - Mallory bodies
Giant mitochondria
Characteristics of alcoholic cirrhosis
- Micronodular Types
- Fatty change seen
- Evidence of pre-existing alcoholic hepatitis
Clinical presentation of Fatty Liver
- Asymptomatic
- Vague abdominal symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- Hepatomegaly
Clinical presentation of alcoholic hepatitis
- Mild jaundice
- Signs of chronic liver disease (ascites, bruising, clubbing)
- Abdominal pain with high fever
- Deep jaundice
- ankle oedema
Diagnosis of fatty liver
- ELEVATED MCV
- RAISED Alt and AST
- Ultrasound demonstrates fatty infiltration as well as liver histology
Diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis
- Leucocytosis
What would blood tests show in alcoholic hepatitis
Serum bilirubin
Serum AST and Alt
Serum alkalin phosphate
PTT
How to treat alcoholic liver disease
- STOP DRINKING
How to treat withdrawal symptoms from not taking alcohol
Diazepam
How do we prevent Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy associated with alcoholic liver disease
IV THIAMINE
What is Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy
Presents with ataxia
Confusion
Nystagmus
When do people suffer from Wernicke-Korsakoff
During withdrawal
When does Wernicke-Korsakoff occur
6-24 hours after last drink (lasts up to a week)
How do we alter diet for those with alcoholic liver disease
High in vitamins and proteins
Ho wis fatty liver disease treated
Stopping alcohol
How is alcoholic hepatitis treated
- Nutrition maintained by enteral feeding + supplements
- Steroids
- Infections should be treated
- Stop drinking alcohol for life
How are infections in alcoholic hepatitis treated
anti-fungal prophylaxis
How is alcoholic cirrhosis treated
Reduce salt intake
Stop drinking for life
Avoid aspirin and NSAIDS
Liver transplant
When should drugs be considered as a cause of live injury
When abnormal liver biochemical tests are found
What four ways can drugs cause liver damage
- Disruption of intracellular Ca homeostasis
- Disruption of bile canalicular transport mechanisms
- Induction of apoptosis
- Inhibition of mitochondrial function
How is inhibiting mitochondria function dangerous
Prevents fatty acid metabolism and accumulation of both lactate and reaction oxygen species
What is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the USA
Drug hepatotoxicity
When do most drug reactions occur
Within 3 months of starting the drug
‘not so much what drug bu what drug you started recently’
When is onset of drug hepatotoxicity seen
1-12 weeks of starting
Main causes of drug haeptotoxicity
- Antibiotics (Augmentin, Flucloxacillin, TB drugs and Erythromycin)
- CNS
- Immunosuppressants
- Analgesics
- GI Drugs
Name two CNS drugs that can induce liver damage
Chlorpromazine
Carbamazepine
Name an analgesic that causes liver injury
DICLOFENAC
What drugs do not induce liver injury
- ASPIRIN
- NSAIDS (except diclofenac)
- Beta0blockers
- ACE
- Thiazides
- Calcium channel blockers
How is drug-induced liver injury treated
Stops within 3 months of stopping the drug
How is paracetamol metabolised
Phase II reaction: conjugated with glucuronic acid or sulphate
What happens to paracetamol if glucuronic acid and sulphate stores are low
Phase I metabolism via oxidation to produce NAPQI then conjugated with glutathione and excreted