Liver Function Flashcards
functions of the liver
carb, fat, protein, and hgb metabolism; form bile, detoxification
where bile is made, stored, and where it goes
made in liver, stored in gallbladder (if species has one), goes to duodenum
how bilirubin is formed
RBCs breakdown, heme portion is made into biliruben
B1 vs B2
B1- unconjugated, fat soluble, indirect. Liver picks up and changes to B2 (conjugated, water soluble, direct) is excreted
what causes yellow skin/MM in liver disease
Bilirubin build up in blood (icterus/jaundice)
test used to differentiate indirect and direct bilirubin
Van den Bergh’s Rxn
examples of pre-hepatic conditions that may increase bilirubin levels
RBC hemolysis
examples of hepatic conditions that may increase bilirubin levels
liver disease (neoplasia, hepatitis, drugs, toxins)
examples of post-hepatic conditions that may increase bilirubin levels
gall bladder issue, cholestasis (back up of bile into liver, usu. a bile duct obstruction like gall stones or neoplasia)
In what species is alanine aminotransferase (ALT) used to detect liver disease?
d/c and humans
T or F; the degree of change of ALT indicate the severity of liver disease
F
name diseases or conditions that may lead to ALT increase
hepatitis, toxins, cancer, cholestasis, drugs that damage liver
In what species is aspartate aminotransferase (AST) used to detect liver disease
all species
where is AST found
not liver specific; also found in muscle
what else do we measure when measuring AST
creatine kinase (CK) to differentiate muscle from liver damage (bc AST found in both liver and muscle)
Why is SAP (serum alkaline phosphatase) found in so many organs?
catalyzes rxn that releases glucose from storage form, found in any cell that uses large amounts of glucose (liver, intestine, kidneys, bone and cartilage of young)
Why may SAP be elevated in young animals, pregnant animals or animals with bone disease or fractures?
bone development in young and fetuses(found in cartilage/bone), placenta also high in SAP, also released for fracture repair
Is gamma glutamyl transferase liver specific and in what animals can it be used to determine liver disease?
liver specific; can be used in all species
Is sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) a good indicator of liver disease? What is the problem with measuring this enzyme?
it is high in the liver of all species but unstable and cannot store blood sample (will disappear)
What is the problem with measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) for liver disease
found in many tissues, not liver specific
In what animals is GLDH most useful to evaluate liver disease?
if have liver disease, high amounts seen in birds, cattle, sheep, and goats
Why are serum bile acids used to evaluate liver disease?
95% of bile acids reabsorbed by liver, a very small amount should be in circulation
What genetic/ congenital defect can be detected using bile acid measurement
Portosystemic shunt not closing (liver is bypassed in fetuses by this shunt)
why impaired liver function may not be determined until up to 80% of liver is involved
liver has large reserves and can regenerate
