[Hepatic function in the clinical spectrum of Hansen's disease]

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 2, 2026

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
12:24

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Published on: September 30, 2021

A Pacín, E L Fliess, B E Llorente

    Hansenologia Internationalis
    |December 1, 1980
    PubMed

    Insights

    Hanseniasis patients exhibit liver damage, indicated by elevated liver enzymes (GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase) and hyperproteinemia, particularly during reactional phases. This suggests hepatic cell damage linked to hypersensitivity reactions in leprosy.

    Area of Science:

    • Hepatology
    • Immunology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Context:

    • Leprosy (Hansen's disease) affects various organs, including the liver.
    • Liver function abnormalities are observed in different clinical forms of leprosy.
    • Understanding these changes is crucial for patient management.

    Purpose:

    • To investigate liver function in leprosy patients across different clinical forms.
    • To identify specific biochemical and enzymatic markers of liver damage.
    • To correlate liver changes with reactional phases and hypersensitivity.

    Summary:

    • A study of 100 leprosy patients across 10 clinical groups and 10 healthy controls revealed hyperproteinemia with high globulin and normal albumin levels in all forms.
    • Reactional leprosy patients showed a pattern of hepatic cell damage with elevated GOT, GPT, and alkaline phosphatase, but normal turbidity tests and bilirubin.
    • These findings suggest liver involvement, potentially linked to Type III and IV hypersensitivity reactions.

    Impact:

    • Highlights the prevalence of subclinical liver damage in leprosy patients.
    • Provides insights into the pathophysiology of liver involvement in leprosy.
    • Informs clinical practice regarding monitoring liver function in leprosy patients, especially during reactions.

    More Related Videos

    Human Liver Spheroids from Peripheral Blood for Liver Disease Studies09:51

    Human Liver Spheroids from Peripheral Blood for Liver Disease Studies

    Published on: January 27, 2023

    Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis05:56

    Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis

    Published on: August 29, 2025

    Related Concept Videos

    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

    Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...
    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug01:14

    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug

    In pharmacotherapy, monitoring drug concentrations is paramount, especially for drugs whose therapeutic effects hinge on both the active compound and its metabolite. Hepatic impairment profoundly influences drug potency by altering liver function. If the drug is more potent than its metabolite, impaired liver function amplifies drug activity due to elevated drug concentration levels. Conversely, if the metabolite holds greater potency, diminished liver function diminishes drug activity by...
    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

    Effect 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...
    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment01:08

    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment

    Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...
    Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

    Cirrhosis I: Introduction

    Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
    Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

    Cirrhosis 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...