Marked elevation of transaminases and pancreatic enzymes in severe malnourished male with eating disorder.

Abstract

We report a case of a 45 year old Caucasian malnourished male with an history of eating disorder who developed severe liver and pancreatic damage and multiorgan disfunction. At admission to our department, his body mass index (BMI) was 11.1. Biochemical evaluation showed elevated serum levels of transaminases (AST= 2291 U/L, ALT= 1792 U/L), amylase (3620 U/L), lipase (4102 U/L), CPK= 1370 U/L, LDH= 2082 U/L. No other cause of acute liver and pancreatic damage was evidenced. Haematological disorders (anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia) found on admission seem related to bone marrow hypoplasia and to gelatinous marrow transformation described in severe state of malnutrition. Although a moderate increase in liver and pancreatic enzymes are a common finding in malnourished patients, only a small number of reports describes severe liver injury and multiorgan dysfunction. After a few days of treatment (hydration and nutritional support) a marked decrease of serum transaminases, lipase, amylase, CPK, LDH occurred, despite a transient increase in these levels secondary to refeeding syndrome. The association of chronic malnutrition and a decrease in systemic perfusion may be responsible for multiorgan dysfunction. In our patient the high levels of transaminases and pancreatic enzymes were the most important biochemical abnormalities normalized after refeeding.

• Authors: C Urso, S Brucculeri, G Caimi
• Journal: La Clinica terapeutica (Clin Ter) Vol. 164 Issue 5 Pg. e387-91 ( 2013) ISSN: 1972-6007 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 24217841 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
• Aspartate Aminotransferases
• Alanine Transaminase
• Creatine Kinase
• Lipase
• Pancreatic alpha-Amylases
• Glucose

Topics

• Alanine Transaminase (blood)
• Anorexia (complications)
• Aspartate Aminotransferases (blood)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Creatine Kinase (blood)
• Fractures, Spontaneous (etiology)
• Glucose (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Hypoglycemia (etiology)
• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase (blood)
• Lipase (blood)
• Male
• Malnutrition (enzymology, etiology, therapy)
• Middle Aged
• Multiple Organ Failure (enzymology, etiology)
• Osteoporosis (etiology)
• Pancreatic alpha-Amylases (blood)
• Parenteral Nutrition
• Refeeding Syndrome (etiology)
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder (complications, drug therapy)