Words that look scary but probably aren't

Question 1

Neprilysin

Answer 1

A metalloprotease that cleaves and inactivates endogenous peptides including BNP, glucagon, oxytocin and bradykinin. Bad news for HF. Some medications INHIBIT neprilysin, thereby increasing BNPs, which is good for HF

Question 2

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)

Answer 2

Released in response to high atrial and ventricular filling pressures (myocardial stretch). Induces a DIURETIC, NATRIURETIC and VASODILATORY effect by antagonizing the actions of RAAS.

Basically, its a natural HF combatant.

Question 3

Thromboxane

Answer 3

Potent vasoCONSTRICTOR that facilitates platelet aggregation

Formed in platelets by thromboxane synthetase. Aspirin inhibits thromboxane A2 synthesis

Question 4

Lipoxygenase

Answer 4

Synthesis of leukotrienes

Question 5

Succinate dehydrogenase

Answer 5

Mitochondrial enzyme int eh ETC that acts by oxidizing succinate into fumarate and reducing FAD to FADH2

Question 6

Fas (CD95)

TNFR1

Answer 6

Cell death receptors on cell surface

Cascade that eventually induces caspase activation

Question 7

∂-Aminolevulinate acid (ALA) dehydratase

Answer 7

Part of heme biosynthesis pathway

Converts ∂-Aminolevulinic acid to Porphobilinogen (PBG).

Lead directly inhibits ALA dehydrogenase, resulting in anemia, ALA accumulation, and elevated zinc protoporphyrin levels

Question 8

Bilirubin glucuronyl transferase

Answer 8

Necessary for hepatic bilirubin conjugation

Dz: Gilbert syndrome

Question 9

Porphobilinogen deaminase

Answer 9

Defects result in Acute Intermittent Porphyria

Enzyme that converts prophobilinogen (PBG) to Hydroxymethylbilane (HMB)

Question 10

Aspartate aminotransferase

Answer 10

AST

Indicates hepatocellular injury and release of intracellular enzymes into the blood. Do NOT reflect liver FUNCTION

Question 11

Fibrinogen

Answer 11

Coagulation factor. Liver fibrinogen synthesis is increased in response to infection or acute inflammation and is DIMINSHED in liver failure

Question 12

Gamma glutamyl transferase

Answer 12

Specific for biliary injury

Question 13

Carnitine

Answer 13

Transports fatty acids into the mitochondria for beta-oxidation

Question 14

Oxindole

Answer 14

Tryptophan derivative formed by bacteria in the gut and normally cleared by the liver. Causes sedation, muscle weakness, hypotension, and coma

Question 15

Epoxide reductase

Answer 15

Its what Warfarin inhibits

Enzyme that takes oxidized Vit K to reduced Vit K

Question 16

Ferrochelatase

Answer 16

1st step of biosynthesis of heme

Affected in lead poisoning

Question 17

ALA dehydrogenase

Answer 17

Last step of biosynthesis of heme

Affected in lead poisoning

Question 18

Cholesterol 7 alpha hydroxylase

Answer 18

Decreased activity leads to gallstone formation

Activity blocked by Fibrates (fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, etc)

Question 19

HMG-CoA reductase

Answer 19

A rate-controlling enzyme of cholesterol synthesis. Activity of the enzyme may be as much as 60 times higher than normal in patients with LDL receptor disorder

Question 20

beta-glucuronidase

Answer 20

Released by damaged hepatocytes and bacteria in infected bile. Results in free bilirubin precipitating with calcium in the bile to form pigmented gallstones

Question 21

y-glutamyl transpeptidase

Answer 21

An enzyme predominantly present in hepatocytes and biliary epithelia. Useful in determining whether an elevated alkaline phosphatase level is of hepatic or boney origin

also found in various extrahepatic tissue like kidney, spleen, pancreas, heart, lung, brain

Question 22

5-alpha reductase

Answer 22

Converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in target tissues

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are used to treat BPH