Question

Pauline - Pauline is a middle aged, obese women. She recently began having severe soreness in her abdomen and a lot of nausea. Pauline visited a specialist and the Doctor is leaning towards the diagnosis of pancreatitis due to a blockage. Pauline also happens to consume a diet that is low in protein and high in fat content.

Diagram and/or explain the anatomy of where the blockage would occur leading to pancreatitis.

What is causing the blockage specifically and why?

Anthony - Anthony lives in Western Washington and is currently staying at home due to Covid-19 Stay Home Stay Safe Order (he does not have the virus). Over the last couple weeks Antonio has experienced increased stress, fatigue, cravings for foods heavy in carbohydrates and fat, and a feeling of despair. Normally Anthony loves to exercise, socialize, and have fun, but lately he is much more likely to just lay down and sleep. His body feels heavy and lethargic and he has little motivation to go outside. Anthony has lived in Western WA for the past 14 months and prior to that he lived in California.

What hormone will his adrenal glands produce due to long term stress and how will that production impact his digestive system? In your answer, include a diagram explaining how the hormone will impact which macro-molecules are used for ATP production in Cellular Respiration and where those enter the Cellular Respiration process.

How will his decrease in sunshine impact absorption of certain materials in the small intestines and what type of systematic (rest of the body) effects will that have?

Jeffrey - Jeffrey recently decided he was going to change his eating habits and try to lose a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time. Jeff has chosen to decrease his carbohydrate intake to 2 grams/day, decrease his fat intake to near 0, and consume primarily proteins. Concerning Jeffrey, answer the following questions:

How will high levels of protein intake impact his GI tract?

Diagram the positive feedback loop that occurs in the GI tract that allows the body to begin to digest all of these proteins. Make sure to include all components of this process.

Answer 1

1. Diagram and/or explain the anatomy of where the blockage would occur leading to pancreatitis. What is causing the blockage specifically and why?

The most common reason for acute pancreatitis is the presence of gall stone which blocks the pancreatic duct and obstruct the passage of bile. The pancreatic duct merge with the common bile duct or lie beside each other. Blockage of pancreatic duct cause pancreatic injury or pancreatitis or due to backflow of bile into the pancreatic duct bacause of blockage.

2. What hormone will his adrenal glands produce due to long term stress and how will that production impact his digestive system? In your answer, include a diagram explaining how the hormone will impact which macro-molecules are used for ATP production in Cellular Respiration and where those enter the Cellular Respiration process. How will his decrease in sunshine impact absorption of certain materials in the small intestines and what type of systematic (rest of the body) effects will that have?

Long term stress induce the response of hypothalamus and the secretion of CRH that in turn stimulate the production of ACTH by the anterior pituitary. The release of glucocorticoids is regulated by ACTH.

Glucocorticoids promote tissue degeneration adn breaking down of stored nutrients in order to compensate the fuel demand.

Cortisol promote catabolism of glycogen to glucose and also promotes other macromolecular catabolism like proteins, triglycerides into broken sub units of fatty acids , glycerol and amino acids respectively. These are then used for the synthesis of more glucose molecules and ketones as fuel.  

In systemic level, it increses the plasma free amino acid by inhibiting collagen formation, protein synthesis and also by reducing the uptake of amino acids.

3. How will high levels of protein intake impact his GI tract? Diagram the positive feedback loop that occurs in the GI tract that allows the body to begin to digest all of these proteins. Make sure to include all components of this process.

High protein diet to achieve weight loss is only short term. This is due to that the excess protein consumption that leads to production of surplus amino acid are usually stored as fat which in turn leads to weight gain over time. It affects the GI tract and cause various bowelproblems like constipation and diarrhea, cramping and bloating of stomach.