Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
07:27
The Murine Choline-Deficient, Ethionine-Supplemented (CDE) Diet Model of Chronic Liver Injury
Published on: October 21, 2017
THE RELATION OF SERUM ESTERASE TO LIVER DESTRUCTION : STUDIES ON FERMENT ACTION. XXIX
J W Jobling1, A A Eggstein, W Petersen
1Department of Pathology, Medical Department, Vanderbilt University, Nashville.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Phosphorus or chloroform poisoning decreases liver esterase but increases serum esterase activity. This rise in serum esterase is not from dying liver cells, indicating a complex metabolic response.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Esterase activity is crucial for various physiological processes.
- Liver damage can significantly alter enzyme levels in the blood.
- Understanding esterase metabolism in toxic liver injury is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in esterase levels in liver tissue and serum following poisoning.
- To determine the origin of elevated serum esterase activity in toxic liver injury.
Main Methods:
- Inducing liver injury in animal models using phosphorus or chloroform.
- Measuring esterase activity in liver tissue samples.
- Assessing esterase levels in serum and hepatic vein blood.
Main Results:
- Poisoning led to decreased esterase content in degenerated liver tissue.
- Serum esterase activity was significantly elevated in poisoned animals.
- Esterase levels in the hepatic vein were lower than in other blood vessels, suggesting extrahepatic origin.
Conclusions:
- Toxic liver injury from phosphorus or chloroform causes a reduction in hepatic esterase.
- Elevated serum esterase in these conditions likely originates from extrahepatic sources.
- This highlights a complex systemic response to liver damage.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
01:12Acid Halides to Esters: Alcoholysis
Alcoholysis is a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction in which an alcohol functions as a nucleophile. Acid halides react with alcohol to produce esters. The mechanism proceeds in three steps:
01:13Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis of esters under acidic conditions proceeds through a nucleophilic acyl substitution. In the presence of excess water, the reaction proceeds in a reversible manner, forming carboxylic acids and alcohols.
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test
Gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic studies are pivotal in confirming, ruling out, diagnosing, or staging various diseases, including cancers. Following diagnosis, allocating time for discussions with the patient and providing informational resources is crucial. Diagnostic assessments of the GI tract often occur in outpatient settings like endoscopy suites or GI labs. Preparation for these tests may include dietary restrictions, fasting, liquid bowel preparations, laxatives, enemas, and the...
01:24Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology
Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...