Liver Flashcards
Role of hepatocytes in anabolic vs. catabolic states
anabolic - hepatocytes store energy rich nutrients from portal circulation
catabolic - hepatocytes release glucose from glycogen/gluconeogenesis into the systemic circulation
How do hepatocytes make glycogen?
- import glucose via GLUT2
- phosphorylated into G6P via glucokinase (polymer of this is glycogen)
- G6P can also be made into pyruvate via glycolysis
- pyruvate can then enter the Krebs cycle and feed into lipid synthesis
*hepatocytes also import a.as for hepatocyte and plasma protein synthesis
How does glycogenolysis occur in hepatocytes?
- G6P converted back into glucose via glucose 6 phosphatase, then exported
- G6P can also be created from pyruvate via gluconeogenesis (precursors include lactate, a.a.s, glycerol from lipid catabolism)
When does ketogenesis occur?
- occurs during catabolism, comes from acetyl-CoA and is exported
Describe the Cori Cycle
- In the liver, lactate becomes pyruvate via LDH and pyruvate becomes glucose (also from gluconeogenesis)
- In muscle, glucose becomes pyruvate and pyruvate becomes lactate via LDH
Lactic Acidosis
- occurs when pyruvate enters the Krebs cycle and the ETC and conversion of pyruvate to glucose is inhibited
- this is caused by a lack of O2 (hypoxia, ischemia), impaired gluconeogenesis (liver failure), ETC disorder (HAART, ASA, genetics)
What are the plasma proteins made in the liver?
- albumin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin (transport)
- fibrinogen (coagulation)
- IgG (immunity)
- C3 (complement)
- alpha1-antitrypsin (protease inhibitor)
- miscellaneous peptide hormones
How are plasma proteins made in the liver regulated?
- all plasma proteins are produced at a faster rate with decreased plasma oncotic pressure
- Acute phase Reaction (IL-6 regulated) - positive regulation for A1AT/ceruloplasmin/C3, and negative regulation for albumin/transferrin
- estrogen increases A1AT, ceruloplasmin, coagulation proteins
Storage of nutrients in the liver
- carbohydrates (glycogen)
- lipids (triglycerides)
- vitamins (B12, folate, A)
- trace metals (iron, copper)
Lipid Metabolism
- uptake from intestine, synthesis with hepatocytes (FFAs, PGs, cholesterol), export into blood via lipoproteins (VLDLs, LDLs, HDLs), oxidation for energy
Diff between chylomicrons, VLDLs, LDLs, HDLs
Chylomicrons - intestine generated, deliver TGs to tissues, remnants deliver cholesterol to the liver
VLDLs - export TGs and cholesterol from liver to tissues
LDLs - derived from LDLs after they deliver TGs
HDLs - reverse transport of cholesterol from tissues to liver
Ammonia (NH4)
- byproduct of a.a. metabolism
- toxic but detoxified in the urea cycle (which produces urea, a non-toxic water soluble compound that can be excreted by the kidneys)
Bilirubin
- explain metabolism
- end product of heme metabolism, mainly made in RE cells from old erythrocytes, metabolized only in the liver
- transported in blood via albumin
- free bilirubin is TOXIC to cells
- uptake into hepatocyte, conjugated to glucuronic acid and excreted in bile
- enters SI via common bile duct, glucuronic acid is hydrolyzed, conversion to urobilinogens, reabsorbed from SI mostly taken up by the liver (enterohepatic circulation), re-excreted by the liver
- eventually eliminated in the urine/ feces
3 Categories of Jaundice Causes
pre-hepatic (unconjugated) - hemolysis, hematoma, inherited metabolic abnormality
hepatic (conjugated) - viral, drug, alcohol, cirrhosis, Gilbert’s
cholestatic (conjugated) - sex hormones, gallstones, bile duct or pancreatic cancer, drugs, alcohol, viral, sepsis, PBC
Heaptic Metabolism of Drugs
- Chemical modification (hydroxylation, oxidation, P450 system)
- Conjugation (sulfate, glucuronic acid)
- Excretion (water-soluble conjugate leads to biliary and renal excretion)
Bile
- production
- 3 main functions
- composition
- yellow/green/brown fluid excreted into bile canaliculi by hepatocytes
- drained by the hepatic duct and stored in the gallbladder
- digestion, excretion, hepatic cell signalling
- mainly bile salts, then electrolytes, phospholipids, cholesterol, bilirubin
Bile salts
- derived from cholesterol (conjugated to glycine and taurine)
- both hydrophilic and phobic surfaces to solubilize lipids
- reabsorbed in the terminal ileum and returned to the liver (enterohepatic circulation)
Risks for gallstone disease
- older age
- female, pregnant
- DM, dyslipidemia, obesity
- rapid weight loss
- family history
- SCI
- cirrhosis, hyperbilirubinemia
- Crohn’s
- Meds (ceftriaxone, fibres, OCPs)
Definition of:
Cholelithiasis
Choledocolithiasis
Cholecystitis
Cholangitis
Biliary Colic
- stones in the gall bladder or cystic duct
- stones in the common bile duct or SI opening
- inflammation of the gallbladder
- inflammation of the bile duct system
- abdominal pain often due to stone obstruction
Signs and symptoms of gallstones in the gallbladder vs. in the common bile duct
Gallbladder - asx, dull URQ/epigastric pain, nausea, diaphoresis, vomiting, fever, leukocytosis
- can see gallstones and sludge on U/S
CBD - fever, jaundice, pain, increased bilirubin/lipase/amylase/AST/ALT, mental changes, acute pancreatitis
- may see intrahepatic duct dilation on U/S along with gallstones and sludge in CBD
Which tests are more helpful for cholelithiasis vs. choledocolithiasis?
Cholelithiasis - HIDA scan helpful for cholecystitis, U/S
Choledocolithiasis - MRCP helps with anatomy and stones, ERCP helps with dx AND tx of stones
*only 10-15% of all gallstones have enough calcium to be visible on x-ray
Pros and Cons of U/S and CT for gallstones
U/S pros: cheap, no radiation, high sp/sn, can detect 1.5-2mm stones
U/S cons: operator dependent, scarring can lead to false negatives, can miss stones under 3mm, poor sensitivity in distal CBD
CT pros: useful to rule out other Dx, assess complications like perforation/cancer
What would you see on CT for acute cholecystitis? What is considered a dilated CBD on U/S?
- gallbladder distension, wall thickening, gallstones, mucosal hyper enhancement, pericholecystic fat stranding
- 6mm or more is considered dilated for CBD
HIDA Scan
MRCP
ERCP
HIDA Scan - use if diagnosis is unsure after U/S
- technetium label HIDA is IV injected and taken up via hepatocytes –> excreted into bile (allows tracing)
MRCP - magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and MRI with liver contrast
- helps evaluate biliary tree, non-invasive, no radiation
- good for CBD stones if no ECRP available or cancer
ERCP - scope, can diagnose and remove CBD stones
- can help stent and brush the CBD to rule out cancer
- could lead to bleeds, perforation, pancreatitis
What are indications for cholecystectomy?
- biliary colic, cholecystitis, cholangitis, pancreatitis
*most gallstones do not need to be treated unless they are symptomatic
Courvoisier’s Sign
- jaundice with non-tender palpable RUQ mass
- unlikely to be a stone
General investigation steps for jaundice
- CBC/ liver panel/ lytes/ kidney/ blood
- CT and U/S as initial imaging
- biopsy/brush
- stage with CT chest/abdo/pelvis and possibly MRI/PET
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
- often too far gone by diagnosis
- vascular invasion and extra pancreatic spread common
Gallbladder Cancer
- tx
- incidence is about as common as the prevalence of cholelithiasis
- often found late as an incidental finding
- tx - cholecystectomy and resection of the gallbladder fossa
Cholangiocarcinoma
- sx
- tx
- arises from the epithelial cells of bile ducts
- mostly extrahepatic
- biliary obstruction, abdominal pain, weight loss, fever
- tx - NO chemo, liver transplant
Whipple Surgery
- remove most of pancreas, gallbladder, part of stomach and SI, bile duct
- some pancreas left for digestion and insulin
Gallstone Ileus
- fistula from the biliary tract to intestine (most commonly the duodenum)
- obstruction if stone is over 2.5cm (often terminal ileum)
- will see distended SI loops, SBO, ectopic calcified gallstone, nausea, vomiting, pain, constipation
Mirizzi Syndrome
- sx
- dx
- tx
- obstructive jaundice from stone in the neck of gallbladder or CD, narrowing CHD
- epigastric pain, jaundice, increased enzymes on liver fxn test
- Dx: ERCP
- Tx: open cholecystectomy
These clinical pictures point to:
- RUQ pain, high WBC, normal liver function, presence of cholelithiasis on U/S w or w/out CBD dilation
- Fever, Jaundice, Hypotension, Upper Abdominal Pain, Tachycardia
- also: biliary duct dilation w shadowing in the CBD on U/S
- Cholecystitis
- Reynold’s Pentad (Cholangitis)