Week 3 Flashcards
What are the functions of plasma proteins?
Transport, immunity, enzymatic activity, buffering, and hormone transport.
What is the main function of albumin in plasma?
Maintaining oncotic pressure and serving as a transport protein.
What conditions can lead to hypoalbuminemia?
Liver disease, malnutrition, overhydration, nephrotic syndrome, burns, and malignancy.
What plasma protein binds free hemoglobin?
Haptoglobulin.
What disease is associated with low ceruloplasmin levels? What is ceruloplasmin?
Wilson’s disease.
Protein made in liver, helps to circulate cu2+
What are acute phase proteins?
Proteins that increase in response to inflammation, infection, or trauma, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and α1-antitrypsin.
What is β2-microglobulin used for?
Monitoring multiple myeloma and assessing renal function.
What is the main contributor to plasma oncotic pressure?
Albumin (contributes ~80%).
What plasma protein is used to monitor iron levels in the body?
Transferrin.
What are paraproteins, and what condition are they associated with?
Monoclonal immunoglobulins associated with multiple myeloma.
What are the main globulin fractions in plasma proteins?
α1-globulin, α2-globulin, β-globulin, and γ-globulin.
What condition is associated with α1-antitrypsin deficiency?
Early-onset emphysema (Lung disorder, inflated alveoli causes difficulty to breath
What protein is a major acute phase reactant and increases in infection?
C-reactive protein (CRP).
What condition is characterized by high α2-macroglobulin levels?
Nephrotic syndrome.
What is the role of erythropoietin?
Stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.
What is a major biochemical marker of kidney function?
Serum creatinine.
What condition is characterized by foamy urine and high protein loss? Describe it?
Nephrotic syndrome, High protein in urine, caused by damage of filtrating of vessels
What type of renal failure results from obstruction in the urinary tract?
Postrenal acute renal failure.
What test is used to assess the kidney’s ability to concentrate urine?
Water deprivation test.
What is Fanconi syndrome?
A disorder of proximal tubular function leading to aminoaciduria, glycosuria, and phosphaturia.
What causes pre-renal acute renal failure?
Reduced renal perfusion due to dehydration, hemorrhage, or shock.
What electrolyte imbalance is common in chronic renal failure?
Hyperkalemia (elevated potassium).
What is an indicator of end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?
GFR < 15 mL/min requiring dialysis or transplantation.
What is the first enzyme to rise in acute liver disease?
ALT (alanine aminotransferase). due to leakage from liver into BS
What enzyme is highly specific for biliary obstruction?
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
What condition results from impaired hepatic conjugation of bilirubin?
Gilbert’s syndrome.
What is the hallmark biochemical finding in cholestatic jaundice?
Elevated conjugated bilirubin and ALP.
What is the major toxic waste product excreted by the liver?
Ammonia, converted to urea.
What is the biochemical feature of hepatic encephalopathy?
Elevated ammonia levels.
What liver disease is associated with chronic alcohol abuse?
Cirrhosis.
What condition is characterized by black liver pigmentation and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia?
Dubin-Johnson syndrome.
What are the three stages of alcoholic liver disease?
Fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
What is the function of γ-glutamyl transferase (γGT)?
A sensitive marker of alcohol-induced liver damage.
What are the three major causes of jaundice?
Hemolytic (prehepatic), hepatocellular (hepatic), and cholestatic (posthepatic).
What is the difference between conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin?
Conjugated bilirubin is water-soluble and excreted in bile, while unconjugated bilirubin is bound to albumin and not water-soluble.
What is kernicterus?
Brain damage caused by excessive unconjugated bilirubin in newborns.
What enzyme deficiency is responsible for Crigler-Najjar syndrome?
UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT).
Affects bilirubin metabolism
What biochemical markers differentiate between types of jaundice?
ALT/AST for hepatocellular, ALP for cholestasis, and low haptoglobin for hemolytic jaundice.
Why does jaundice lead to pale stools?
Lack of bilirubin breakdown products (stercobilin) in the intestines.
What is the first line of treatment for neonatal jaundice?
Phototherapy to break down unconjugated bilirubin.
A patient presents with high ALP and bilirubin but mildly elevated AST/ALT. What is the likely diagnosis?
Cholestatic jaundice (e.g., gallstones or bile duct obstruction).
A patient has elevated ALT, AST, and bilirubin but normal ALP. What is the likely cause?
Hepatocellular damage, such as viral hepatitis.
A 60-year-old male with jaundice, weight loss, and ALP >800 U/L. What is the suspected condition?
Obstructive jaundice, possibly due to pancreatic or biliary cancer.
A patient has high creatinine and urea but normal urine output. What could be the cause?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD).
A patient presents with oliguria, high creatinine, and hyperkalemia. What is the likely condition?
Acute renal failure, possibly due to intrinsic renal damage.
What condition results from an inability of the kidneys to excrete acid?
Renal tubular acidosis.
What are the primary functions of the liver?
Metabolism (carbohydrates, fats, proteins), detoxification, storage, and bile production.
How is GFR estimated in clinical practice?
Using creatinine clearance or estimated GFR equations (eGFR).
What urine protein is often found in multiple myeloma?
Bence Jones proteins.
What is the purpose of a creatinine clearance test?
To estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
What condition presents with increased IgG, IgA, or IgM bands on electrophoresis? (Describe it?)
Multiple myeloma
Cancer that forms in WBC
Which plasma protein is the primary carrier of iron?
Transferrin.
What is the most common inherited disorder of bilirubin metabolism?
Gilbert’s syndrome.
Hyperalbumemia
Inc in oncotic pressure causing dehydration
Dublin-Johnson syndrome
Inc in bilirubin, liver turns black
