LIver clinical pathology Flashcards
If blood from the GIT is bypassing the liver, where does it flow to and what embryological structures can be involved?
Vena cava
embryological structures that can be the basis of shunts are the ductus venosus and vitelline veins (intra and extra hepatic)
why do patients who’s blood bypasses the liver from the GIT exhibit neurological signs? What other condition would exhibit these signs?
Neurotoxic/neurotransmitter interference of ammonia and other compounds that would normally be processed and detoxified by the liver
A patient with a urea cycle enzyme deficiency would exhibit the same signs as ammonia isn’t converted to urea
what is paracetamol dangerous in cats?
Limited capacity for glucuronidation of paractemol metabolites
Unsafe metabolites accumulate -> tissue damage through reactive oxidation and RBC damage
Glutathione (protects against oxidation) is consumed leaving calls and tissues unprotected
What is glucuronidation?
making ‘safe’ metabolites for excretion from a drug
Fill in this table describing the sources of liver enzymes
Why do we measure bile acids before and after a meal to assess liver function in dogs and cats?
Providing a meal stimulates the gall bladder to contract, releasing bile into the GI tract. The bile acids should be resorbed back into the circulation from the gut. How well the liver recaptures the bile acids from the blood flowing through it gives an idea as to how well it is functioning. We expect the liver to have recaptured the pulse of bile acids within 2 hours of gall bladder contraction.
Why do some animals with advanced liver disease have ascites?
Ascites (fluid collection in spaces in the abdomen) due to liver disease often implicated portal hypertension and is typically associated with development of acquired portosystemic shunts.
what are transudates?
Transudates are fluids that pass through a membrane or squeeze through tissue into the extracellular space of tissues.
What is bottle jaw and how is it related to liver disease?
Submandibular oedema (bottle jaw) is the abnormal accumulation of oedema fluid under the skin of the lower jaw. Severe bottle jaw is seen in chronic liver fluke infections as these parasites feed on blood. This causes oedema due to reduced oncotic pressure due to anaemia.
