The liver is the largest organ in the body and performs many essential functions including converting food to energy, eliminating toxins from the blood, and producing bile to aid digestion. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, occurs when the liver is unable to perform these important functions properly. Common causes of liver damage include chronic alcoholism, viral hepatitis, autoimmune disorders, inherited conditions, medication reactions, and environmental toxins. Botulinum toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is one of the most poisonous substances known and is used in certain medications but can damage the liver over time if not replaced by a safer alternative ingredient.

1. Ingrid M. Melendez Nieves
BIOL 3009 Lab.

2. • The liver is the largest organ inside of the body. It is also one of the most
important.
• The liver has many functions, including the conversion of food into
energy and eliminating alcohol and toxins from the blood.
• The liver also produces bile, a greenish-yellow fluid that aids digestion.

3. • Liver damage, also known as hepatotoxicity, makes this
essential organ to function improperly or irregularly.
• When the liver is damaged, you may not be able to perform
these functions optimally. It is very important that may not
be able to excrete bile, the main way to remove liver waste
products.

4. • Chronic alcoholism
• Viral hepatitis (types B, C and D)
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Inherited Disorders
• Biliary Atresia
• Severe reaction to medication (drugs)
• Exposure to environmental toxins
• Repeated bouts of heart failure accompanied by
hepatic congestion

6. • Botulinum toxin, one of the most poisonous biological substances known, is a
neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

7. • Botox
• Dysport
• NeuroBloc
• Vistabel

8. • Why the Botulinum toxin is used in medication?
• What is the function of the toxin in the medication?
• How to replace the toxin with another ingredient that
might work?

9. The Botulinum toxin in the medication is the major
cause that affects the liver.

10. • Search for the reasons for why the liver is damaged.
• Identify what medication affect the liver.
• Identify a common ingredients are present in the
medicaments.
• Also, check how long it takes for the drug to affect the
liver.
• Investigate the role of the toxin in the medicines.

11. PUBMED:
• Antitubercular therapy in patients with cirrhosis; Challenges and options.
Authors: Naveen Kumar, Chadan Kumar, Shiv Kumar, Department of
Hepatology, Institute of liver and biliary Sciences, Vasant Kunj, New Delh.
• Biopsy of the liver. Merck Manual Second Home Edition website. Available
at: www.merck.com/mmhe/sec10/ch134.ch134c.html. Accessed September 21,
2005.
• Brin MF. Botulinum toxin: Chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and
immunology. Muscle Nerve Suppl.1997;20:146–68. [PubMed]