BILIRUBIN AND LIVER DAMAGE
Oct 15, 2009 5:13:40 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Oct 15, 2009 5:13:40 GMT 10
BILIRUBIN AND LIVER DAMAGE
Bilirubin is one of the major body waste products that require excretion.
70% is derived from the destruction of cells mainly in the spleen and liver, 10% is from bone marrow, the remainder is from myoglobin breakdown.
Newly formed bilirubin is insoluble in water, and binds to circulating albumin.
This binding allows transport of bilirubin via the blood to the liver, and the now large bilirubin/albumin complex prevents diffusion across cell membranes, and helps to confine bilirubin to the blood vessels.
Binding ability may be reduced by the drugs, Sulphonamide and Salicylate or in animals suffering acidosis.
Bilirubin separates from albumin prior to entry into the liver cell. Once inside, specific proteins bind the bilirubin; it is then combined with Glucoronic Acid to form bilirubin Monoglucoronide.
The importance of this process is that the bilirubin, previously insoluble in water, has now been transformed into a water-soluble compound, which is essential for it's excretion.
Even in the event of considerable liver damage this part of the system appears to continue to function efficiently.
Normally the now water-soluble bilirubin is excreted from the liver cells into the bile ducts. However, this excretory system is extremely sensitive to various types of liver damage, and when the liver is under stress, increasing amounts of bilirubin are returned to the Plasma.
On the other hand, in greyhounds with liver damage the Total Plasma Bilirubin may not increase significantly. This is because dogs as a species, easily pass water-soluble bilirubin through the kidneys into the urine, and it is only when both liver and kidney damage occurs, that the plasma levels of bilirubin increase sharply.
The use of tests to measure the quantity of bilirubin in plasma is therefore not an accurate assessment of liver function in dogs.
As liver function is directly involved with bile production, measurement of Serum Bile Acids is a more reliable procedure to test current liver function.
However, when total plasma bilirubin exceeds 1.0 mg/dl, one can observe a yellow colour of plasma in a spun microhematocrit tube.
Impaired liver function leads to a decreased bile flow and is characterized by increased Serum Bile Acid and Alkaline Phosphates (SAP) levels.
There are drugs that may also cause decreased bile flow and increased serum bile acids; they include Corticosteroids and long-term treatment with anti-convulsants such as Dilantin or Phenobarbital.
Other drugs that may cause liver damage in dogs include Mebendazole (Telmintic) and possibly others such as Oxibendazole.
Liver damage may also be caused by Aflatoxins, a mould found on grain type foods.
Greyhounds, as a species, are also extremely sensitive to liver damage from Cholinesterase inhibiting compounds, mainly found in flea killing products.
When treating greyhounds for flea infestations, the product label should be carefully read and products listed as Cholinesterase Inhibiting should be avoided, or at least used strictly as directed.
Ongoing liver damage is often associated with marked increases in Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and may include decreased concentrations of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Albumin, and Glucose, with increased Plasma Ammonia, and with Bilirubin appearing in the urine in increased amounts.
A marked reduction of available bile due to liver damage may also cause low levels of intermittent diarrhoea. This is due to low bile levels reducing fat and carbohydrate digestion, and bacterial action on the partially digested foods producing Lactic Acid and Hydroxyl Fatty Acids that irritate the intestines, and aggravate the diarrhoea by increasing gut secretions of fluid and electrolytes.
To obtain the full picture, any tests for Serum Bilirubin should be accompanied by a urine test for water soluble Bilirubin.
Bilirubin is one of the major body waste products that require excretion.
70% is derived from the destruction of cells mainly in the spleen and liver, 10% is from bone marrow, the remainder is from myoglobin breakdown.
Newly formed bilirubin is insoluble in water, and binds to circulating albumin.
This binding allows transport of bilirubin via the blood to the liver, and the now large bilirubin/albumin complex prevents diffusion across cell membranes, and helps to confine bilirubin to the blood vessels.
Binding ability may be reduced by the drugs, Sulphonamide and Salicylate or in animals suffering acidosis.
Bilirubin separates from albumin prior to entry into the liver cell. Once inside, specific proteins bind the bilirubin; it is then combined with Glucoronic Acid to form bilirubin Monoglucoronide.
The importance of this process is that the bilirubin, previously insoluble in water, has now been transformed into a water-soluble compound, which is essential for it's excretion.
Even in the event of considerable liver damage this part of the system appears to continue to function efficiently.
Normally the now water-soluble bilirubin is excreted from the liver cells into the bile ducts. However, this excretory system is extremely sensitive to various types of liver damage, and when the liver is under stress, increasing amounts of bilirubin are returned to the Plasma.
On the other hand, in greyhounds with liver damage the Total Plasma Bilirubin may not increase significantly. This is because dogs as a species, easily pass water-soluble bilirubin through the kidneys into the urine, and it is only when both liver and kidney damage occurs, that the plasma levels of bilirubin increase sharply.
The use of tests to measure the quantity of bilirubin in plasma is therefore not an accurate assessment of liver function in dogs.
As liver function is directly involved with bile production, measurement of Serum Bile Acids is a more reliable procedure to test current liver function.
However, when total plasma bilirubin exceeds 1.0 mg/dl, one can observe a yellow colour of plasma in a spun microhematocrit tube.
Impaired liver function leads to a decreased bile flow and is characterized by increased Serum Bile Acid and Alkaline Phosphates (SAP) levels.
There are drugs that may also cause decreased bile flow and increased serum bile acids; they include Corticosteroids and long-term treatment with anti-convulsants such as Dilantin or Phenobarbital.
Other drugs that may cause liver damage in dogs include Mebendazole (Telmintic) and possibly others such as Oxibendazole.
Liver damage may also be caused by Aflatoxins, a mould found on grain type foods.
Greyhounds, as a species, are also extremely sensitive to liver damage from Cholinesterase inhibiting compounds, mainly found in flea killing products.
When treating greyhounds for flea infestations, the product label should be carefully read and products listed as Cholinesterase Inhibiting should be avoided, or at least used strictly as directed.
Ongoing liver damage is often associated with marked increases in Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and may include decreased concentrations of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Albumin, and Glucose, with increased Plasma Ammonia, and with Bilirubin appearing in the urine in increased amounts.
A marked reduction of available bile due to liver damage may also cause low levels of intermittent diarrhoea. This is due to low bile levels reducing fat and carbohydrate digestion, and bacterial action on the partially digested foods producing Lactic Acid and Hydroxyl Fatty Acids that irritate the intestines, and aggravate the diarrhoea by increasing gut secretions of fluid and electrolytes.
To obtain the full picture, any tests for Serum Bilirubin should be accompanied by a urine test for water soluble Bilirubin.