LIVER Flashcards
What percentage of the liver is comprised of hepatocytes?
60%
How many blood supplies does the liver have?
hepatic artery - from the heart
portal vein - blood from the bowel
what are the functions of the liver?
1)metabolism
2)synthesis
3)immunological
4)storage
5)secretion
6)homeostasis
what are some examples of substances metabolised in the liver?
products of digestion
bilirubin
steroid hormone
insulin
aldosterone
vitamin D
what is synthesised in the liver?
plasma proteins
clotting factors
cholesterol
urea
what is stored in the liver?
fat soluble vitamins
glycogen
blood reservoir
what is secreted in the liver?
bile and bile salts
what is the function of the liver in homeostasis?
glucose regulation
conversion of glucose to glycogen
what are some potential causes for chronic liver disease?
alcohol
NAFLD/NASH
Immune/autoimmune
drugs
malignancy
HCV/HBV
What are some potential causes for acute liver disease?
HAV/HBV/HEV
ø 3rd trimester of pregnancy
- Drugs
- TPN
- Infection, e.g. malaria
- Ischaemia
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Acute fatty liver of pregnancy
what increases risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
T2DM
Obesity
Dyslipidaemia
What may be the first presentation of NAFLD?
cirrhosis/jaundice
What is the non-pharmacological management of NAFLD?
Weight loss
healthy diet
exercise
smoking cessation
2-3 cups of black coffee daily
What is the pharmacological management of NAFLD?
Statins
what co-morbidities can make a HepC (HCV) infection worse?
(1) HIV
(2) Underlying cirrhosis
(3) Liver transplant
(4) Lifestyle
What is the process of chronic liver disease development?
(1) Injury
- e.g. toxin/ virus
(2) Hepatitis or steatohepatitis
(3) Reversible
- if cause is stopped, e.g. alcohol cessation
(4) If insult is not removed
(5) Fibrosis
- scarring + thickening of smooth muscle
(6) Cirrhosis
what is the general classification of liver disease?
1) compensated - asymptomatic due to medication/sufficient healthy liver tissue for normal function
2) decompensated - symptomatic
what is a liver function test?
used to identify patients
struggling with liver/biliary tract
what is the downside of liver function tests when checking for liver disease?
some LFTs reflect liver DAMAGE rather than function
what results from a liver function test are considered a casue for concern?
3 times the upper limit of normal
how should a liver function test be used?
(1) Look for trends
(2) Do not use in isolation
What would a liver function test (LFT) show in acute hepatocellular damage?
HIGH - plasma ALT
HIGH - plasma AST
HIGH - bilirubin (unconjugated)
PROLONGED - prothrombin time
NORMAL - albumin
What would a liver function test (LFT) show in chronic hepatocellular damage?
NORMAL - ALT
NORMAL - AST
LOW - albumin
PROLONGED - prothrombin time
What would a liver function test (LFT) show in cholestasis (blockage of bile duct)?
HIGH - plasma ALP
HIGH - bilirubin (conjugated)
What other investigations can be done alongside a liver function test (LFT)?
(1) Ethanol
(2) Drug history
(3) FBC
(4) Clotting
(5) U+Es
(6) Liver ultrasound
(7) Biopsy
(8) Liver screen
- if obstruction ruled out
- check for viral causes