Stomach, Liver, Gall bladder and Pancreas Flashcards
Functions of the stomach (nine)
Store and mix food Dissolve and continue digestion Regulate emptying into duodenum Kill microbes Secrete proteases Secrete intrinsic factor Activate proteases Lubrication Mucosal protection
Key cell types in stomach
Mucous cells
Parietal cells
Chief cells
Enteroendocrine cells
Which cells secrete stomach acid? What is this acid?
Parietal cells
HCl
Is secretion of HCl energy-dependent? Why?
Yes - H+ ions need to be pumped into the lumen of the stomach against a concentration gradient
Which nervous system controls this secretion?
Parasympathetic
Which cells produce HCl?
parietal cells of the stomach
Chemical reactions in parietal cells
To begin with, water and co2 combine with parietal cell cytoplasm to produce carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid then spontaneously dissociates into a hydrogen ion and bicarbonate ion HCO3-.
What happens to the H+ ions produced?
The hydrogen ion that is formed is transported into the stomach lumen via the hydrogen-potassium ATPase ion pump. This pump uses ATP as an energy source to exchange potassium ions into the parietal cells of the stomach with hydrogen ions.
What happens to the bicarbonate ion produced? What is the overall result of the H+ and HCO3- ion movement?
The bicarbonate ion is transported out of the cell into the blood via a transporter protein called anion exchanger which transports the bicarbonate ion out of the cell in exchange for a chloride ion. This chloride ion is then transported into the stomach lumen via a chloride channel.
This results in both hydrogen and chloride ions being present within the stomach lumen. Their opposing charges leads to them associating with each other to form hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Gastric acid secretion regulation; turning it ON (cephalic phase)
Innervation comes from vagal efferent nerve fibres of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Sight, smell, taste of food and chewing stimulates release of acetylcholine. ACh acts directly on parietal cells and triggers the release of gastrin and histamine. The net effect is increased acid production.
Gastric acid secretion regulation; turning it ON (gastric phase)
Gastric distension, presence of peptides and amino acids leads to gastrin release. Gastrin acts directly on parietal cells and triggers the release of histamine which also acts directly on parietal cells. The net effect is increased acid production.
Gastric acid secretion regulation; turning it ON (protein in the stomach )
Proteins in the lumen are a direct stimulus for gastrin release. The proteins act as a buffer taking up hydrogen ions and causing pH to rise.
This leads to decreased secretion of somatostatin, which leads to more parietal cell activity because of a lack of inhibition.
Gastric acid secretion regulation; turning it OFF (gastric phase)
Low lumin pH due to high concentration of H+ ions directly inhibits gastrin secretion and indirectly inhibits histamine release as a result.
Somatostatin release is stimulated which inhibits parietal cell activity.
Gastric acid secretion regulation; turning it OFF (intestinal phase)
In the duodenum, duodenal distension, low luminal pH, hypertonic luminal contents and the presence of amino acids and fatty acids triggers the release of enterogastrones secretin and cholecystokinin.
Effect of secretin
Inhibits gastrin release
Promotes somatostain release
Nervous system in the gastrointestinal tract
Enteric nervous system
Ulcer definition
A breach in a mucosal surface
Causes of peptic ulcers
Heliobacter pylori infection
NSAIDs
Chemical irritants (alcohol, bile salts, dietary factors)
Gastrinoma
What is a gastrinoma?
A gastrinoma is a tumor derived from G cells in the duodenum, pancreas or less commonly the stomach, that secretes the protein gastrin. There is hypersecretion of HCl acid into the duodenum, which causes the ulcers.
Gastric mucosa defences
- Secretion of alkaline mucus (containing bicarbonate) which helps to resist the action of hydrochloric acid
- Tight junctions between epithelial cells to prevent the passage of HCl and proteases between the cells to digest the underlying tissue
- A population of stem cells deep in the gastric pits which divide to replace damaged cells regularly
- A number of feedback loops to control the production and activation of proteases and HCl etc.
What do helicobacter pylori secrete? What does the secreted substance do? Why does this cause ulcers?
urease
splits urea into co2 and ammonia
Ammonia forms ammonium when combined with hydrogen ions. Ammonium damages gastric epithelium and an inflammatory response can further damage epithelium, leading to reduced mucosal defence.
What does NSAID stand for? Why do NSAIDs cause ulcers?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSAIDs inhibit cyclo-oxygenase 1, which is needed for prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandin stimulates mucus secretion. As a results when its production is inhibited, there is reduced mucosal defence.
NSAIDs ulcers: treatment
- Reduce acid secretion with protein pump inhibitors or H2-receptor antagonists
- Protein pump inhibitors:
- Omeprazole
- Lansoprazole
- Esomeprazole
- H2-receptor antagonists
- Cimetidine (taken off the market right now)
- Ranitidine
- Protein pump inhibitors:
Which cells produce pepsinogen?
Chief cells
What is pepsinogen?
Inactive form of pepsin
What is the conversion of pepsinogen to pepsin is dependent on what?
pH
At which pH is the conversion of pepsinogen to pepsin most efficient?
<2
What does pepsin break down?
Collagen in meat
What activates parietal cells?
ACh
Gastrin
Histamine
What turns pepsinogen to pepsin?
HCl
Protecting chief cells
Produce inactive form of pepsin, as pepsin can digest the cell. Thick layer of mucosa on chief cells to prevent HCl breaking down the cell and activating pepsin.
Total % of protein digestion by pepsin
20%
Empty stomach
50ml
Filling up stomach
1.5L
Receptive relaxation
Passive increase in volume mediated by parasympathetic nervous system acting on enteric nerve plexuses.
Receptive relaxation; nervous system coordination
Afferent input via vagus nerve.
Receptive relaxation local factors
Nitric acid and serotonin released be enteric nerve mediated relaxation.
Where do peristaltic waves start?
The gastric body
What do peristaltic waves cause?
Churning
Which cells regulate peristalsis and act as ‘pacemaker’
interstitial cells of Cajal
Where is there more powerful contraction?
gastric antrum
What happens to the pylorus when a peristaltic wave reaches it?
Pylorus closes.
Which cells are in charge of basal electral rhythem?
interstitial cells of Cajal
Where are interstitial cells of Cajal?
Muscularis propria
Rate of persitaltic waves per min
3/min
Peristalsis - depolarisation etc.
Pacemaker cells undergo slow depolaration-repolarisation cycles. Depolarisation waves transmitted through gap junctions to adjacent smooth muscle cells. Excitatory neurotransmitter ACh and hormones further depolarise membrane. Action potentials generated when threshold is reached and leads to smooth muscle contraction.
Strength of peristalsis increased by …
Gastrin hormone (turns on HCl secretion and pepsinogen production)
Gastric distension due to food
What mediates gastric distension?
Mechanoreceptors
What decreases the strength of peristalsis?
Duodenal distension. There is an increase in duodenal luminal fat and duodenal osmolarity (due to increased concentration of lipids and amino acids). The duodenal lumen pH decreases and sympathetic nervous system action increases causes peristalsis to turn off (fight or flight system). Parasympathetic nervous system action decreases leading to les ACh being produced.
What causes dumping syndrome?
When the duodenum is overfilled with a hypertonic solution.
Symptoms of dumping syndrome
Vomiting, bloating,c ramps, diarrhoea, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, sweating, tachycardia.
How does the body prevent overfilling in the duodenum?
Stomach starting to empty -> acidity rises; pH ↓ Fat + AA content in lumen ↑ Hypertonicity + lumen distended Triggers secretion of enterogastrones Turn off parietal cells + chief cells & leads to ↓ action of peristalsis Short nerve pathway ↓ parasympathetic stimulation via Vagus Less ACh ↑ Sympathetic NS - turn stomach off
Overview of reasons for delayed gastric emptying
Drugs
- Gastrointestinal agents
- Anticholinergic medication
- Miscellaneous
Gastrointestinal agents (delayed gastric emptying)
- Aluminium hydroxide antacids
- H2 receptor antagonists
- H+ pump inhibitors
- Sucralfate
Anticholinergic medication (delayed gastric emptying)
- Benadryl
- Opioid analgesics eg morphine
- Tricyclic antidepressants
Miscellaneous (delayed gastric emptying)
- Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists
- calcium channel blockers
Afferent liver blood supply
Portal vein
Hepatic artery
Efferent liver blood flow
Hepatic veins
% distribution of afferent supply
75% portal vein
25% hepatic artery
Portal circulation
Portal vein comes from GI tract and blood flows into the liver; rich in nutrients.
Which system does the bile flow out of, and where to?
Through the biliary system
To the gall bladder
What are the components of portal triads?
Hepatic artery
Portal vein
Bile duct
7 liver functions
1) Detoxification (filtering and cleaning blood of waste products)
2) Immune functions (fights infections and disease)
3) Synthesis of clotting factors, proteins, enzymes, glycogen and fats
4) production of bile and breakdown of bilirubin
5) energy store - glyocgen and fats
6) regulation of fat metabolism
7) can regenerate
Metabolic role of the liver
Maintains a continuous supply of energy to the body - controlling metabolism of carbohydrates and fats
When do the metabolic roles of the liver vary?
Fasting, absorption, digestion
Multiple pathways
What regulates metabolic roles of the liver?
The endocrine glands e.g. pancreas, adrenal, thyroid
Nerves
Definitions of lipids
Lipids are esters of fatty acids and glycerol or orther compounds (cholesterol)
Solubility of lipids
Insoluble in water
What is a triglyceride?
1 glycerol molecule
3 Fatty acids
Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
Saturated: solid at room temperature
Unsaturated: less tightly packed and liquid at room temperature
Lipid functions
Energy reserve
Structural
Hormone metabolism
Lipid - structural functions
Cell membrane
Integral to form and functions of cells
Inflammatory cascade
Lipid - hormone metabolism
cholesterol is the backbone of adrenocorticoid and sex hormones
Vitamin D
Where is most energy provided from?
The oxidation of lipids and carbohydrates and proteins
kcal/g for lipids
9-10kcal/g
Energy reserves in the body
Blood glucose
Glycogen stores
Muscle (protein)
Lipid reserve
For which of the energy reserves is the liver the main storage place?
Glycogen
How are lipids transported?
By chylomicrons
Where are lipids transported to?
Adipocytes and hepatocytes