Disorders Affecting the GI System Flashcards
What is the neurocristopathology of hirschprung disease?
aberration in neural growth, migration and differentiation during embryological development
What are the two forms of hirschprung disease?
short-segment and long-segment form
describe the short-segment form of Hirschprung disease
Aprroximately 80% of cases
Aganglionic segment does not extend beyond the upper sigmoid
Describe the long-segment form of Hirschprung disease
L-HSCR
aganglionosis extends proximal to the sigmoid
can also be called total colonic aganglionosis or total intestinal HSCR
There is a congenital absence of what cells in Hirschprung disease?
Congenital absence of intrinsic ganglion cells in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses of the GI tract
Which enteric plexus forms first?
The outer myenteric plexus
What are the clinical presentations of Hirschprung disease?
intestinal obstruction
colon distention from lack of peristalsis
Most of time is isolated disease (70%)
more common in males and Asians
What syndromes can Hirschprung disease be associated with?
12% down syndrome - most frequent chromosomal abnormality in associated
2% bardet-biedl syndrom
9% cartilage-hair hypoplasia syndrome
What gene is most associated with Hirschprung disease?
RET: tyrosine kinase receptor
Autosomal dominant
What are proto-oncogenes?
genes that code for proteins that help regulate cell growth
Where is the RET gene expressed?
in neural crest cells
A loss-of-function mutation of the RET gene causes what disease?
Hirschprung
A gain-of-function mutation of the RET gene causes what disease?
MEN - multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome
What does the RET gene provide instructions for?
producing a protein that is involved in signaling withing cells, including nerves in the intestine
What deficiency can lead to emphysema, jaundice, and cirrhosis?
Alpha antitrypsin ATT
What is iron bound to and transported in the body by?
What is it stored in?
Transferrin
Ferritin molecules in liver and heart
What are the only physiolgical mechanisms for excretion of excess iron from the body?
blood loss, pregnancy, menstruation
What happens to iron if there is too much?
deposited in liver, heart, and some endocrine tissues
damages tissues
fibrosis
What happens if there are too many erythrocytes destroyed?
accumulates in reticuloendothelial macrophages first
tissue parenchyma after macrophages
Iron deposited in bone marrow, spleen
iron is only lost through….
enterocyte shedding: GI cells sloughed
What is HFE responsible for?
the most common form of iron-overload: hemochrmatosis
What is the HJV gene responsible for?
Most cases of juvenile hemochromatosis; rare but has severe iron overload
What is the TFR2 gene responsible for?
Less common but with similar clinical presentation to HFE mutations; transferrin receptor-2
What is the HAMP gene translated to?
hepcidin: an iron-regulating hormone critical for absorption
What are factors that increase iron absorption? (your body wants to take in iron)
inadequate diet impaired absorption Celiac disease GI bleeding Anemias, decreased erythropoiesis Hypoxia
What are factors that decrease iron absorption?
your body does not want more iron
regular blood transfusions
high iron diet
iron loading vitamins
What is the HFE protein?
human hemochromatosis protein
functions to regulate circulating iron uptake by regulating the interaction of TFR1/2 with transferrin
What is hepcidin?
protein that is a key regulator of the entry of iron into circulation. inhibits ferroportin
What is transferrin?
iron-binding blood plasma glycoprotein that controls the level of free iron in biological fluids