Path: Nutritional Diseases Flashcards
What is kwashiorkor disease and what is its micro presentation as seen in the liver?
Protein starvation. Steatosis of the liver due to lack of proteins for lipoprotein synthesis. Lipids accumulate in the hepatocytes. Individuals with kwashiorkor still get adequate forms of energy from carbs, etc.
There are two differentially regulated protein compartments in the body: the ________ compartment, represented by proteins in skeletal muscles, and the ________ compartment, represented by protein stores in the visceral organs, primarily the liver.
somatic compartment; visceral compartment
Which protein compartment is depleted more severely in marasmus (inadequate energy intake of all forms, pt looks emaciated).
somatic
Which protein compartment is depleted more severely in kwashiorkor?
visceral
A child is considered to have marasmus when weight falls to ___% of normal for sex, height, and age.
60%
Describe the physical appearance of a marasmic child and why they look that way.
A marasmic child suffers growth retardation and loss of muscle, the latter resulting from catabolism and depletion of the somatic protein compartment. This seems to be an adaptive response that provides the body with amino acids as a source of energy.
Describe the serum albumin levels of a marasmic child.
Serum albumin levels are either normal or only slightly reduced because the visceral compartment, which is presumably more precious and critical for survival, is only marginally depleted.
What else, besides muscle proteins, is mobilized and used as fuel, contributing to the emaciated appearance (ribs showing, bones accentuated, head appears too large for body)
subcutaneous fat
In marasmus, leptin is low (now you know), so what causes mobilization of subcutaneous fat stores?
Stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to produce high levels of cortisol that contributes to lipolysis.
Immune deficiency is also found in pts with marasmus, particularly ___-cell mediated immunity.
T-cell
Even though protein is found in the diet, less severe forms of kwashiorkor may be found in pts with this condition in which protein is not absorbed.
Chronic diarrhea
Hypoalbuminemia will be seen in kwashiorkor or marasmus?
kwashiorkor
Loss of weight in individuals with less severe forms of kwashiorkor is masked by:
increased fluid retention and edema into extravascular spaces due to hypoalbuminemia
Besides a swollen belly, what other signs may you look out for in pts with kwashiorkor?
alternating zones or hyper/hypopigmentation, areas of desquamation, giving a “flaky paint” appearance.
Hair changes include overall loss of color or alternating bands of pale and darker hair.
Apathy, listlessness, and loss of appetite.
Is there edema in pts with marasmus?
No
Describe the appetite in pts with kwashiorkor.
poor
Describe the appetite in pts with marasmus
good
Describe the anemia present in pts with marasmus and kwashiorkor.
Marasmus: Present, less severe
Kwashiorkor: Severe (sometimes)
Describe levels of subcutaneous fat in pts with kwashiorkor and marasmus.
Kwashiorkor: Reduced but present
Marasmus: Absent
Describe fatty infiltration of the liver in pts with kwashiorkor and marasmus.
Kwashiorkor: Present
Marasmus: Absent
_______ is self induced starvation, resulting in marked weight loss.
Anorexia nervosa
_______ is a condition in which the pt binges on food and then induces vomiting.
Bulimia
_________ has the highest death rate of any psychiatric disorder.
Anorexia nervosa
Amenorrhea, resulting from decreased secretion of ___________ (hormone), and subsequent decreased secretion of _______ (hormone) and _______ (hormone), is so common that its presence is considered a dx feature of anorexia and bulimia.
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GRH); luteinizing hormone (LH); follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Decrease in release of this hormone, found in anorexia and bulimia, can cause cold intolerance, bradycardia, constipation, and changes in the skin and hair.
Thyroid hormone
Describe the changes in bone density found in anorexia and bulimia and why they occur.
Bone density is decreased, most likely because of low estrogen levels, mimicking the postmenopausal acceleration of osteoporosis.
What is a major complication of anorexia and bulimia that can cause cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death?
Hypokalemia
Cachexia is a state of profound loss of lean body mass and fat due to cytokines, principally:
TNF
________ occurs in about 50% of cancer pts and is responsible for about 30% of cancer deaths.
Cachexia
What causes mortality in cachexia?
generally the consequence of atrophy of the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles.
List 2 mediators that contribute to cachexia in cancer pts.
Proteolysis-inducing factor
Lipid-mobilizing factor- increases FA oxidation and proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF
Proteolysis-inducing factor and proinflammatory cytokines cause skeletal muscle breakdown through the ___________-induced activation of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway.
NfkB-induced
List the fat soluble vitamins necessary for health.
A, E, D, K
____-soluble vitamins are more readily stored in the body, but may be poorly absorbed in fat malabsorption disorders caused by disturbances of digestive functions.
Fat-soluble
Describe how Vitamins D, K & biotin (B7), and niacin (B3) are synthesized endogenously
D- precursor steroids and UV exposure
K & biotin- intestinal microflora
niacin- from tryptophan
List the 3 major functions of Vit. A.
Maintenance of normal vision, regulation of cell growth and differentiation, and regulation of lipid metabolism.
T/F: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning its absorption does not require bile, pancreatic enzymes, or any level of antioxidant activity in the food.
False. Its absorption does Requires bile, pancreatic enzymes, and some level of antioxidant activity in the food.
What transports Vit. A in the blood stream?
chylomicrons
Where are 90% of the body’s Vit. A reserves stored?
Liver