Anemias of Diminished Erythroposeisis Flashcards
most common and important anemias associated with RBC underproduction
nutritional deficiencies then renal failure then chronic inflammation
pernicious anemia cause
B12 (cobalamin) deficiency; autoimmune gastritis, failure of intrinsic factor production
what are B12 and folic acid required for
coenzymes for synthesis of thymidine (one of 4 bases found in DNA)
characteristics of megablastic anemias
macrocytic and oval; ample hemoglobin; lack central pallor, but MCHC not elevated; anisocytosis and poikilocytosis; reticulocyte count low; occasional nucleated RBC if severe in circulation; neutrophils larger than normal and hypersegmented; marrow hypercellular
what secretes intrinsic factor
parietal cells of fundic mucosa
what frees B12 from binding proteins in food
pepsin in stomch and binds to salivary proteins called cabalophilins or R-binders
what occurs to bound B12 in duodenum
released by pancreatic proteases and associates with intrinsic factor
where is the intrinsic factor/B12 absorbed
ilial enterocytes, where B12 associates eith transcobalamin II and secreted into plasma
2 rxns that require B12
1) methycobalamin serves as essential cofactor in conversion of homocysteine to methionine by methionine synthase (yields FH4) 2) isomerization of methylmalonyl coA to succinyl coA
what builds up in urine and plasma with B12 deficiency
methylmalonic acid and propionate
neural effects may be caused by what due to B12 deficiency
formation and incorporation of abnormal fatty acids into neuronal lipids = predisposes to myelin breakdown
What is FH4 crucial for
conversion of dUMP to dTMP (deoxyuridine monophosphate to deoxythymidine), immediate precursor of DNA
autoantibodies in pernicious anemia
75% type I-blocks binding of vit B12 to intrinsic factor; Type II-prevent binding og intrinsic factor-vit B12 complex to ileal receptor; Type III in 85-90%-recognize the alpha and beta subunits of the gastric proton pump
where is the gastric proton pump normally localized
microvilli of canalicular system of gastric parietal cell
primary cause of gastric pathology in pernicious anemia
NOT auto antibodies; autoreactive T-cell response initiates gastric mucosal injury and triggers formation of autoantibodies
achlorhydria and loss of pepsin secretion
B12 not readily released from proteins in food and can cause anemia
exocrine pancreas fxn and B12
with loss, can’t release B12 from R-binder-B12 complexes
anemia due to B12 with normal absorption causes
pregnancy, tapeworms, hyperthyroidism, disseminated cancer, chronic infection
atrophic glossitis
tongue shiny, glazed, and ‘beefy’; seen in B12 deficiency
CNS and B12 deficiency findings
demyelination of dorsal and lateral tracts, sometimes followed by loss of axons
diagnosis of pernicious anemia
1) moderate/severe megaloblastic anemia
2) leukopenia with hypersegmented granulocytes
3) low serum B12
4) elevated homocysteine and methylmalonic acid in serum
elevated homocysteine levels risk factors
increase artherosclerosis and thrombosis
FH4 fxn
serves as acceptor of 1-carbon fragments from cmpds such as serine and formimonoglutamic acid, then donates these 1-carbon units to various rxns
most important metabolic processes involving FH4
1) purine synthesis
2) conversion of homocysteine to methionine
3) deoxythmidylate monophosphate synthesis
3 major causes of folic acid deficiency
1) decreased intake
2) increased requirement
3) impaired utilization
normal transport form of folate
5-methyltetrahydrofolate
how quickly can a defiency of folic acid appear
reserves modest; can arise within weeks-months if intake is inadequate
alcoholics and low folate
low intake (intestinal absorption), trapping within liver, excessive urinary loss, disordered metabolism
drugs that interfere with folate absorption
anticonvulsant phenytoin and oral contraceptives
folic acid antagonists
methotrexate-inhibit dihydrofolate reductase and lead to deficiency of FH4
diagnosis of folate deficiency
decreased folate levels in serum or red cells; serum homocysteine levels increased, but methylmalonate concentrations normal; neurologic changes do NOT occur
why should B12 deficiency be excluded b4 treating for folate deficiency
folate therapy with B12 deficiency doesn’t effect or can exacerbate neurological deficits of B12 deficiency states
whom is iron deficiency common in the US
toddlers, adolescent girls, and women of childbearing age
heme iron vs nonheme iron absorption
20% heme and 1-2% nonheme
fxnal storage compartments for iron
80% in hemoglobin; myoglobin and iron-containing enzymes like catalase and cytochromes contain the rest
storage pool of iron
hemosiderin and ferritin=make up ~15-20% total body iron