The Consequences of Hortebort Syndrome - Essay Example

?Majority of the digestion processes occur in the small intestines wherein starches and glycogens will be broken down to sugars, proteins into amino acids and triglycerides to fatty acids and glycerol. The resulting products will then have to go through the intestinal mucosa’s cells before it can be circulated in the blood found in the primary vessels. Lymphatic vessels will then receive the fatty acids and glycerol after moving into the lymph. Basically, the responsibilities of the small intestine lie on the removal of nutrients from food, water and electrolytes into the body, as well as moving food into the large intestine.1 In order to get a better perspective, we have to understand that all this activities takes place inside the small intestine. Enzymes are very essential to food digestion. Salivary glands, epithelial cells of the duodenum and duodenum are essential aids in the secretion of some of these enzymes, as well as the pancreas. Pancreatic juice will travel through a passage provided by tiny ducts running from the pancreas to the small intestine. By the time food reaches the small intestine, some the food would have already been partly digested. Starches and glycogens would have been broken down by salivary amylase, but only part of their bonds, which entails that most of the starches and glycogens will still remain undigested but enough to produce disaccharide maltose. Once it reaches the small intestine, pancreatic amylase will break down these carbohydrates into maltose. Disaccharide enzymes will break down sucrose, maltose and lactose into various forms of monosaccharides. Basically, all lipid digestions occur in the small intestine. Due to their solubility in water, these lipids will have to enter the small intestine in the forms of globules. The small intestine absorbs and average of 750g of nutrients a day and majority of the water intake, while the large intestine will absorb the rest of the excess water the small intestine was not able to absorb. The small intestine absorbs nutrients and has an internal surface area that is surprisingly large which plays a big factor in its efficiency as well as capacity to absorb. The large surface area is made possible through the complex folds in a series of circular formations of the small intestine, also known as the plicae circulars, making it possible to occupy very little space. When looked at closely, fingerlike villus or small hairs responsible for extracting nutrients lines the plicae circulars. The villus is full of capillaries which surrounds lacteal, which is a specialized lymphatic vessel. The villi aid the intestines in the transport of food along the digestive pathway, as well as increasing the amount of surface area available for nutrient absorption.2 Villus lacteals, also known as the lymph capillaries, will then collect the absorbed chylomicrons before they are distributed to the rest of the body through the fluids of the lymph. Villus is also responsible for absorbing carbohydrates prior to entering the capillaries. Absorption of digested molecules of fat, which also occurs in the small intestine, will go into the epithelial cells of the villi. These fats will be formed into bundles known as the chylomicrons passing into the lacteal. Chylocmicrons will be carried by lymphs away from each individual villus. In addition to that, the digestion of protein is also completely processed in the small intestine. 3 Proteins will initially be broken down into peptides before being broken down into amino acids before the villi absorbs them, and then pass through to the capillaries. The presence of enzymes is also present on the surface. Capillaries of the villi will collect the amino acids and simple sugars then be transferred into the blood stream. Due to the functions of the intestines in nutrient extraction, and enabling the body’s taking up of water and electrolytes, the body is enabled to maintain regular bodily systems. All elements absorbed are done so in a network of processes distributed all over the body through the mesenteries and the blood cells contained. Therefore, the lack of the villus’ capacity to absorb will entail a lot of complications affecting the entire body and all functions of the body. Since the small intestine is where majority of the nutrients are absorbed prior to its transport to the blood stream, it is very important that the food has already been broken down into small particles, the size of molecules, in order to pass through. If the food hasn’t been broken down small enough once it has reached this point, the food will not be able to go through successfully and will cause irritation to the intestinal walls which may lead to inflammation and other complications if it continues. The lymphatic and blood circulatory system are usually thought of as being very separate. The cellular components of blood remain in the closed arterial/venous circulatory system. In contrast, the lymphatic system is open ended. It takes up fluid from within tissues and returns this to the venous part of the circulatory system. This separation is necessary for the two systems to function properly. Nevertheless, vascular malformations where blood is able to travel directly from arterioles to lymphatic vessels have occasionally been found in humans and other mammals. These are called arterio-lymphatic shunts, or arterio-venous-lymphatic shunts and they allow blood to flow directly into the lymphatic system. The suggestion that Hortebort’s Syndrome is caused by the arterio-lymphatic shunts present in the villi of the small intestines presents many complications. If around 50-60% of the numbers of villus will have shunts, there will be a lot several concerns and possibilities. There will also be likely symptoms, though it might be hard to detect early since this syndrome is extremely rare. 4 The first symptom that may hint the presence arterio-lymphatic shunts as a result of Hortebort’s Syndrome will be nutrients deficiency. The shunts in the arterio-lymphatic shunts of the villi will cause chronic inflammation and the damage which will be extensive enough to incapacitate the normal processes of the small intestine in food digestion. The nutrients will be scattered all over the intestinal wall, and it will not be absorbed nor transported to the normal destinations as it will not be able to go through the normal route, which also entails that the essential nutrients will not be transported properly. 5The nutrients will not be absorbed and therefore, will not be utilized by the body. Deterioration of the body will be apparent due to the nutrients deficiency. Nutrients deficiencies will also show signs of body weakness and loss of weight, but this will now just be a result of the nutrients deficiency. there will be a very significant loss of absorption of carbohydrates, particularly essential to a healthy diet as well as fats that can be burned as energy, among many other essential nutrients processed and absorbed through the villi. The second symptom will be dehydration. The small intestine is responsible for the take up of majority of the fluid intakes in our body. The large intestine is a mere supplement in picking up the water passed over by the small intestines. Water is very essential to the body, and is also very critical. Proper hydration, which means keeping enough water in the body in order to keep our cells hydrated, will enable bodily functions. 2/3 of the body is made of water and not absorbing enough water is very risky for the body. majority of the body’s water may be found inside the cells of the body, while the rest may be found in the interstitial cells or the spaces found between the cells. Dehydration happens when there is more water leaving the body than the amount being taken in, and since the body is very active and changing constantly, the usage of water is very high. A person needs to drink a constantly to compensate his routine loss of water. If water is lost from within the blood vessels, the body can balance somewhat by changing water from inside the cells into the blood vessels, but this is a very temporary solution. The body lives within a very narrow range of normal parameters, and signs and symptoms of dehydration will happen quickly if the water will not be replenished. The body is capable of monitoring the quantity of water it needs to function. The thirst system signals the body to drink water when the body is dry and needs to replenish water supply. In addition to that, hormones like the anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) works with the kidney to limit the amount of water lost in the urine when the body needs to conserve water. Due to the arterio-lymphatic shunts, despite the regular consumption of water, the body will still not be able transport them and will therefore, still not be utilized. Once hyperglycemia is not treated right away, patients may possibly go into a coma as a consequence of ketoacidosis. This outcome is when fats and protein are used for energy production generate large quantities of ketones. This can lead to dangerous medical conditions. Most of the disorders connected with the small intestine experience tissue damage and the state of the damage can transmit to cancer or tumor which can be analyzed by using various measures for which collection of tissue tests is will be necessary. 6 After-meal Hyperglycemia is also a sign of arterio-lymphatic shunts on the other hand. Possible indications of this medical condition which is defined as the abnormally high blood sugar levels two hours after meals. Blood glucose levels are found to be below 180 mg/dl which is unusually high as compared to normal blood sugar levels drop down to 140 mg/dl levels after meals. It is not unusual for people to record high blood sugar levels after consumption of heavy meals but this condition is hazardous for patients who are known to suffer from consistent high blood sugar levels. Patients who are found to be suffering from consistent high levels could indicate that they are at high risk for developing type-2 diabetes. Sustaining standard blood glucose levels is essential for people suffering from diabetes. Hyperglycemia happens when diabetes is not taken care of properly. The body can utilize proteins and fats as a source of energy. However, the brain, can only use glucose as a source of energy. Without adequate levels of insulin, the brain is incapable to use this energy source, and the normal functions of the brain will be affected. Patients suffering from hyperglycemia may also suffer from difficulties with vision as the blood circulation in the eyes is affected. Early signs of Hyperglycemic episodes of may show that a person is thirstier than usual, experience feelings of weakness, frequent urination as compared to the usual, headaches, moments of confusions and the blurring of visions. Long term complications can be skin infections which may also be related to dehydration due to arterio-lymphatic shunts as the skin becomes sensitive with dehydration. Insufficient levels of insulin increasing the levels of glucose in blood can very well trigger an attack of hyperglycemia. In addition to that, consumption of too much food may leave you with insufficient insulin to control your blood sugar. If insulin medications are followed, patients may find themselves with high levels of blood sugar because the medication was not sufficient in controlling blood glucose. Doctors recommend insulin to smooth the progress of the breakdown of glucose and lower blood sugar levels for diabetic patients. Depending on the recommendations, patients take specific dosage at different times to control blood sugar levels. Too much physical activity forces the body to release glucose. Glucose provides the body with energy and insulin breaks this down into materials which the body’s tissues and cell could use. This is done as a result of the body’s increased requirement for energyWhen there is insufficient level of insulin available to transform this glucose, patients are left with elevated blood sugar levels. No exercise leads to higher glucose levels. The body has less energy requirements in a sedentary lifestyle. This means that the glucose contained in your blood is not utilized, leaving patients with hyperglycemia. The last symptom would be signs of infection in the small intestine. The number of unabsorbed and wrongly directed food particles will scratch the intestine walls which may lead to infection as well as inflammation. 7 A similar case may be found in patients suffering from celiac disease. In most people, links known as tight junctions bond intestinal cells together. In those with celiac disease, the junctions come apart, permitting a large quantity of indigestible gluten fragments to leak into the underlying tissue and incite immune system cells. Treatments that reduced leakiness could potentially ease not only celiac disease but also other autoimmune disorders involving abnormally permeable intestines. A number of turmoil is connected with the malfunctioning of the small intestine and a good number of them are proven to be lethal and harmful. Some of them are Small intestine cancers, Small intestine obstruction such as Obstruction from external pressure, bezoar and gallstones, Maropthisis, Paralytic ileus, Crohn's disease, Carcinoid, Meckel's Diverticulum, Obstruction by masses in the lumen like foreign bodies, Gastric dumping syndrome, Infectious diseases, Giardiasis, Ascariasis Celiac disease, Tapeworm infection, Tropical sprue, Mesenteric ischemia, Inguinal hernia, and Intussusception, Short bowel syndrome and many others. References: Small Intestine. Short Bowel Support. Accessed April 8, 2011. http://www.shortbowelsupport.com/small-intestine.htm Nathan Lifson, Bithi Sircar1, David G. Levitt and E. Jane Lender. Heterogeneity of macroscopic and single villus blood flow in rabbit small intestine. 2004. Department of Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. D. G. Levitt, et al..Use of a model of small bowel mucosa to predict passive absorption. 2004. American Journal Physiology. Cao R, Jensen LD, Soll I, Hauptmann G, Cao Y (2008). "Hypoxia-induced retinal angiogenesis in zebrafish as a model to study retinopathy." PLoS One 3: e2748 Dahl Ejby Jensen L, Cao R, Hedlund EM, Soll I, Lundberg JO, Hauptmann G, Steffensen JF, Cao Y (2009). "Nitric oxide permits hypoxia-induced lymphatic perfusion by controlling arterial-lymphatic conduits in zebrafish and glass catfish." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106: 18408-18413 Lee SL, Rouhi P, Dahl Jensen L, Zhang D, Ji H, Hauptmann G, Ingham P, Cao Y (2009). "Hypoxia-induced pathological angiogenesis mediates tumor cell dissemination, invasion, and metastasis in a zebrafish tumor model." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106: 19485-19490 Alvarez Y, Astudillo O, Jensen L, Reynolds AL, Waghorne N, Brazil DP, Cao Y, O?Connor JJ, Kennedy BN (2009). "Selective inhibition of retinal angiogenesis by targeting PI3 kinase." PLoS One 4: e7867 Read More