The Liver and digestion

Dr. Than Kyaw 7 May 2012

- largest organ in the body- located behind the diaphragm- divided into lobes - performs multiple complex life sustaining functions

The Liver

Many functions – • related to the numerous liver enzymes -- Some enzymes for "break down" of molecules -- Some for "combination" of molecules forming new essential substances for the body -- intermediate metabolism

• Produces bile

Liver lobule

Non-digestive and Digestive Functions of the Liver

Non-digestive Functions

1. Detoxification (most medicines, alcohol, harmful substances from the body)2. Production of blood clotting factors3. Storage of glycogen4. Storage of vitamins and minerals5. Destruction of old non-functional red blood cells6. Removal of hormones7. Removal of ammonia from the body (urea formation) 8. Formation of plasma proteins (globulin and albumin -- used for the building blocks of the body

and the immune system.)

Bile -- synthesized in the liver; stored in the gall bladder -- released when stimulated by CCK which is secreted when chyme enters duodenum -- Bile duct joins with pancreatic duct before opening into the duodenum

Bile -- contains no digestive enzyme -- contains -- bilirubin (derived from break down of hemoglobin)

-- cholosterol-- bile salts-- phospholipids (lecithins)

Digestive Function Bile production  

(Man)

NOTE: Equine digestive feature include: 

1. low levels of amylase in saliva2. absence of a  gall bladder (there is a constant release of bile into the intestine) 3. a relatively small stomach (about 1 gallon)

4. Large caecum - about 4 gallon

Bile salts – a range of lipids that assist in the break up of lipid droplets to smaller droplets increasing surface areas for digestion by lipase -- emulsifying action.

-- also aids the absorption of fatty acids and glycerol along the small intestine

Digestive Function Bile production  

Impaired Liver Function and Jauncice

Jaundice or icterus- Characterized by yellowish discolouration of skin, mucous membranes,

and/or sclera

- Resulted from accumulation of bilirubin (bile pigment) in the blood and tissues

Jaundice or icterus

Any factor that disrupts the movement of bilirubin from the blood to the liver and then out of the body -- causes jaundice

Causes of jaundice- liver damage- occlusion of bile duct- increased rate of erythrocyte destruction

(hemolytic diseases, e.g: anaplasmosis – the bile pigments are liberated into the blood faster than the liver can conjugate and secrete them – icterus results

Fate of Erythrocytes

Senescent RBCsHemolysed* RBCs

In MPS cells releasing HB

*What are hemolytic agents?

(bacterial toxins, snake venoms,

blood parasites, hypotonic solutions)

Prehepatic Causes

- Those occurring before the blood passes through the liver- Also referred to as hemolytic causes (result from a breakdown of red blood

cells – parasites:anaplamosis, babesiosis).- Fatty infiltration of the liver (hepatic lipidosis)- Inflammatory diseases of the liver (hepatitis), bile duct system (cholangitis),

or both (cholangiohepatitis)- Toxins (e.g, heavy metals, chemical flea and tick dips and sprays) - Certain drugs (e.g, diazepam, acetaminophen, griseofulvin)- Cancer- Infections - viral, bacterial, protozoal

Classifications of causes of jaundiceThree primary types:

Hepatic icterus

Chronic hepatitis:• Hereditary hepatitis • Drug-induced chronic hepatitis (e.g.; dog - phenobarbital)

Acute hepatitis:• Toxic materials• Infectious (leptospirosis, canine, infectious hepatitis, Yersinia, Salmonella)

Neoplasia:• Lymphoma, hepatic metastases, etc.

Acute cholangitis

Posthepatic Causes- Disorders that occur after blood passes through the liver- Disorders or gall bladder diseases that block the bile flow from

the liver (gall stones, Fasciola hepatica, Ascaris, cancer, or inflammation of the gall bladder and bile duct)

- Pancreatic diseases (pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer or abscess)

- Intestinal diseases that block the bile ducts

Moderate yellow discoloration of the mucosal membranes (sub-icterus).

Yellow discoloration of pig viscera and carcass caused by cirrhosis of the liver.

Liver Enzymes (Human)

• Automatic biochemistry analyzer:

- aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) - alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT), ALT: < 35U/L, AST: <40U/L Elevated ALT, AST : acute hepatitis (viral or toxic), chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, biliary obstruction

• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) : 30-130 U/L ( 36-92 U/L) Elevated ALP: bile duct obstruction, primary hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatitis

END OF LECTURE

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