Liver 1 (not including viral hepatitis) Flashcards
What is jaundice?
Retention of bilirubin –> yellow discoloration
What is icterus?
Basically jaundice of the sclera
What is cholestasis?
Impaired bile secretion
How is bilirubin made?
Reticuloendothelial cells convert heme –> bilirubin
Where does the heme that becomes bilirubin come from?
85% from breakdown of senescent RBCs
15% from hepatic heme or marrow RBC precursors
What happens to the bilirubin after it is formed from heme?
Bilirubin is complexed to albumin and transported to the liver
What form is the bilirubin in when it is being transported to the liver?
Unconjugated (Indirect)
What happens to bilirubin in the liver?
Bilirubin is conjugated with glucuronic acid in liver cells
What distinguishes unconjugated bilirubin from conjugated bilirubin?
Unconjugated: water INsoluble, TOXIC to tissues, NOT secreted in urine
Conjugated: water SOLUBLE, NOT toxic to tissues, SECRETED in urine
Although conjugated bilirubin can be excreted in urine, what is it usually excreted in?
Bile…poop
What causes unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia?
Increased bilirubin production
Impaired hepatic bilirubin uptake
Impaired bilirubin conjugation
What causes conjugated hyperbilirubinemia?
Extrahepatic cholestasis (biliary obstruction) Intrahepatic cholestasis
What are some potential causes of neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia?
Normal neonatal alterations in bilirubin metabolism (increased production, decreased clearance, increased enterohepatic circulation)
What are some possible conditions that could manifest as neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia?
Immune-mediated hemolysis
Inherited RBC membrane/enzyme defects
Sepsis
Inherited defects in UGT1A1 activity (Crigler-Najjar or Gilbert’s syndrome)
What can be affected by neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia?
Neuro system:
Bilirubin Induced Neurologic Dysfunction (BIND)
What is one method of treating neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia?
Phototherapy…converts bilirubin to water soluble isomers
What is Gilbert’s syndrome?
A benign autosomal recessive mutation that decreases glucuronyltransferase activity (UGT1A1 30% of normal)
What is the effect of Gilbert’s syndrome?
Increased unconjugated bilirubin (<6mg/dL)
What is seen with hepatocellular cholestasis?
Bile within hepatocytes
Canalicular bile stasis
Feathery degeneration of hepatocytes