Question

Please Discuss:

1.The hepatic pathway/process of how cirrhosis and ascites occur.

2.List 3 other common ethiologues (causes) of liver cirrhosis beside alcoholic cirrhosis

Answer 1

Liver injury results into chronic inflammation which leads to activation of kupffer cells and other endogenous hepatic cells with production of cytokines.

These together with damage to Extracellular matrix activates hepatic stellate cells. These transform into myofibroblasts which deposit collagen and constrict sinusoids

Collagen in the space of disse leads to cappilarisation of fenestrations thereby losing fenestrations and hence interfering with solute exchange.

New vessels link the infloe of blood with outflow of blood result in internal vascular shunts and portal hypertension.

This leads to cirrhosis and ascites .

Other causes of cirrhosis : Malnutrition , Old age and diabetes melitus.