Blood Chem: Liver Disease Flashcards
What are three enzymes associated with hepaticellular injury?
ALT, AST, Sorbitol dehydrogenase
Name four functions of the liver
Metabolism of carbs and fats
Synthesis of albumin, clotting factors
Secretion bilirubin
Metabolism and elimination of toxins
What is ALT specific in?
Dogs and cats
What is ALT not specific in?
Horses cattle pigs
What can also cause an increase in ALT?
Glucocorticoids and anticonvulsants
Which enzyme is not liver specific but is used when looking for liver disease?
AST
When are increased levels of AST often seen?
Muscle inflammation, hemolysis of blood sample
What is AST testing used for in the liver?
Ruling out other problems
What is sorbitol dehydrogenase liver specific in?
All animals
Which liver specific enzyme is not routinely measured?
Sorbitol dehydrogenase
What enzymes are associated with obstruction of bile flow? 2
Alkaline phosphate and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase
Is alk phos liver specific?
No
What is alk phos useful in?
Dogs and cats
What is alk phos not useful in?
Horses and cattle
This is the first thing to rise in cushiness
Alk phos
When will you often see a rise in alk phos? 4
Bone injury, rapidly growing animals, use of glucocorticoids and anti convulsants
This enzyme lives in the liver which is its primary source for all animals
GGT
What can GGT be increased by?
Glucocorticostwroids and anti convulsants
What does bilirubin come from?
From hemoglobin that has been released from lysed RBCs
What can cause increased bilirubin? 2
Increased rRBC destruction or liver disease
What can lead to a false elevated readings of bilirubin?
Lipemia or hemolysis
What are bile acids?
Secreted in bile to promote digestion and absorption of fat from the small intestine
What happens to the bile acids?
Reabsorbed from the SI and removed by the liver
What can increase bile acids?
Portosystemic shunts, chronic liver disease
