GB 18. Bile and Jaundice Flashcards
Where is bile synthesized and stored?
- bile is synthesized in the liver
- bile is stored in the gall bladder
- bile can be released from both liver and gall bladder
What is the function of Cholescytokinin (CCK)?
It stimulates the gall bladder to contract and release the stored bile into the intestine
What are the primary functions of bile? [2]
[1] Excretory
[2] Digestive
What is bile synthesized in the liver and gall bladder primarily made up of?
- mainly made of water
What is the excretory function of bile? What are the principal excretory products?
Goal: it provides an excretory route for many substances
Principal Excretory Products include….
- bile pigments (degradation of haem)
- cholesterol
- bile acids/salt
- drugs + their metabolites
- particulate matter (removed from blood stream by Kupffer Cells of Liver)
What is the digestive function of bile? What mechanisms does this work by?
Goal: digests biomolecules (particularly fats)
Mechanisms:
- Alkaline Secretion
( rich in bicarbonate pH 8.0 )
( neutralizes acidity of gastric content )
- Bile Salts + Phospholipids emulsify fats into small droplets
- Bile Salts activate pancreatic hydrolase precursors
How do you create a bile acid?
- cholesterol is conjugated with glycine and taurine
- there are primary and secondary bile acids
Where is a primary bile acid created? What are some examples?
created in liver
- cholic acid
- chenodeoxycholic acid
Where is a secondary bile acid created? What are some examples?
created in gut (through bacterial alpha-hydroxylase)
- deoxycholic acid
- lithocholic acid
How is a bile salt created?
conjugated bile acid + (Na+) + (K+)
What is bilirubin? Where can bilirubin be created (2 categories)?
a natural degradation product of haem in erythrocytes
- 75% of bilirubin in the body is derived from RBCs
- process requires phagocytosis and/or lysis of senescent RBCs
bilirubin can be created..
- intravascular
- extravascular
Hemolysis can either be…
[1] Intravascular
[2] Extravascular
Explain the process of extravascular hemolysis and formation of bilirubin.
- haemoglobin of RBCs split into (a) globin and (b) haem
- haem is then split into (a) Fe2+ and (b) bilirubin
- the bilirubin is then excreted
What is the difference between intravascular and extravascular hemolysis?
Intravascular Hemolysis: RBCs that are lysed in the blood stream and release haem into the blood circulation
Extravascular Hemolysis: RBCs are lysed in the spleen (or by spherocytes)
What are the main mechanisms behind the handling of free (intra-vascular) haemoglobin? (the 3 complexes)
[1] Haptoglobin
- haptoglobin binds to free haemoglobin
- haemoglobin-haptoglobin complex metabolized in liver + spleen
- forms iron-globin complex and bilirubin
- PREVENTS LOSS OF IRON IN URINE
[2] Haemopexin
- binds free haem
- haem-hemopexin complex taken up by liver
- iron stored bound to ferritin
[3] Methaemalbumin
- complex of oxidized haem and albumin
What is the main function of the haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex?
it prevents loss of iron in urine
What are the main goals of andling free intra-vascular haemoglobin? [3]
[1] scavenge iron
[2] prevents major iron losses
[3] complex free haem (very toxic)