Increased Liver Enzymes

Question 1

When do ALT and AST increase?

Answer 1

(When there is hepatocellular necrosis or degeneration = injury)

Question 2

(T/F) The magnitude of the increase in ALT and AST indicate the number of affected hepatocytes.

Answer 2

(T)

Question 3

The half life of ALT is short/long (choose).

Answer 3

(Short = persistent increases in ALT mean there is continued hepatocyte injury)

Question 4

What are the surface enzymes that are induced with cholestasis (aka decreased bile flow)?

Answer 4

(ALP and GGT)

Question 5

Besides cholestasis, when else can increase ALP values?

Answer 5

(Certain meds (corticosteroids and phenobarbital) and in young growing animals (bone isoenzyme))

Question 6

What is the typical liver enzyme pattern of a cat with hepatic lipidosis?

Answer 6

(High ALP, normal to mildly elevated GGT)

Question 7

Albumin is made exclusively in the liver so low albumin indicates significant liver dysfunction as long as what else is ruled out?

Answer 7

(Loss, either PLE or PLN)

Question 8

When are bile acids indicated?

Answer 8

(When you want to screen for hepatic function or portosystemic shunts)

Question 9

What are the tests you should request be run on your liver biopsy sample?

Answer 9

(Bile aspirate and culture, histopath, and copper quantification)