Ch. 32 Protein Assays and Hepatobiliary Function Tests Flashcards
the majority of plasma proteins are produced by what organ?
the liver
What are the 3 common protein chemical assays performed in veterinary medicine?
- total protein
- albumin
- fibrinogen
total plasma protein measures what?
Fibrinogen
total SERUM protein measures what?
all of the protein fractions EXCEPT fibrinogen
total protein is commonly used to determine what about an animal?
hydration status
Hyperproteinemia
high total protein (seen in dehydrated patients)
Hypoproteinemia
low total protein, seen in overhydrated patients
Albumin is one of the most important _____ in plasma/serum
PROTEINS
What is albumin responsible for?
maintaining the osmotic pressure of the plasma
What diseases/conditions may decrease albumin?
liver disease, renal disease, dietary intake, intestinal protein absorption
What are globulins?
a complex group of proteins synthesized in the liver
what are the 5 immunoglobulins?
IgG, IgD, IgE, IgA, and IgM
what is the function of globulins?
to transport and bind proteins
If fibrinogen is decreased, will blood clot or not be able to clot?
not be able to clot
What conditions may elevate fibrinogen levels?
Inflammation
Tissue damage
When are acute-phase proteins primarily seen?
immediately following injury or inflammation
Albumina nd transferrin are referred to as negative acute-phase proteins because ________?
thehy decrease following acute injury or inflammation, rather than increase
serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase protein used to differentiate infectious diseases from non infectious diseases in which two species?
Cats
Horses
C-reactive protein is a biomarker for inflammation produced in the liver. True or False?
True
What type of reactions control the functions of the liver?
Enzymatic reactions
What is the primary function of the gallbladder?
storage site for bile
malfunctions of the liver or gallbladder result in clinical signs of _____, _______, ______, and ______?
- jaundice
- hypoalbuminemia
- problems with hemostasis
- hypoglycemia
What are the 4 enzymes released from damaged hepatocytes (the 4 tests associated with enzymes from damaged liver cells?)
- ALT
- AST
- Iditol dehydrogenase (ID)
- glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDR)
What enzymes are associated with cholestasis (bile duct damage/obstruction)?
What are the 2 tests?
- ALP
2. gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT)
Bilirubin is not a component of bile. True or False?
FALSE
Increased pre-hepatic (bound to albumin) bilirubin indicates what?
hepatic damage (problems with uptake)
Increased conjugated bilirubin indicates what?
bile duct obstruction
Unconjugated bilirubin is increased with ______ or ________?
excessive RBC destruction
or
defects in the transport system mechanism of bilirubin
Bile acids aid in ________ and _______?
fat absorption
modulating cholesterol
Where are bile acids stored? (with the exception of horses)
the gallbladder
Why would bile acids be elevated?
with liver disease (congenital portosystemic shunts, chronic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, cholestasis, or neoplasia)
What extrahepatic diseases is increased bile acids associated with?
intestinal malabsorption disorders, in horses can be due to decreased feed intake
What is hypercholesteremia? What is it associated with?
high cholesterol
associated with hyperadrenocorticism, DM, and nephrotic syndrome, rarely diet related (high fat, postprandial lipemia)
In dogs and cats ALT is considered liver specific: true or false?
true
More severe liver damage is needed to increase ALT or AST?
AST
ALP in young animals comes mostly from what cells?
osteoblasts in the bone and chondroblasts int he cartilage as bones develop
ALP in adult/older animals is primarily from what cells?
liver cells
What is ALP primarily used to determine in adult dogs/cats?
Cholestasis
When is GGT elevated?
In patients with liver disease, especially obstructive liver disease
