Which feature of anemia can cause fatty change in liver, myocardium, and kidney?

Which feature of anemia can cause fatty change in liver, myocardium, and kidney?

• A. Hyperglycemia
• B. Hypoxia
• C. Hyperlipidemia
• D. Hyperoxia

Answer: (B)

Hypoxia from anemia is the key idea. When anemia lowers the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, tissues can’t get enough oxygen, so cells shift to less efficient energy production and lipid metabolism is disrupted. Reduced oxygen leads to decreased ATP, which impairs mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and the export of lipids as lipoproteins. As a result triglycerides accumulate within cells, producing fatty (steatotic) change. This effect can occur in highly metabolic organs like the liver, heart, and kidney, where fatty acid oxidation is prominent and energy demand is high. Hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia can cause fatty change in other contexts, but the question focuses on anemia-related hypoxia as the trigger. Hyperoxia would not cause this pattern; it would counteract hypoxic injury.

Hypoxia from anemia is the key idea. When anemia lowers the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, tissues can’t get enough oxygen, so cells shift to less efficient energy production and lipid metabolism is disrupted. Reduced oxygen leads to decreased ATP, which impairs mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation and the export of lipids as lipoproteins. As a result triglycerides accumulate within cells, producing fatty (steatotic) change. This effect can occur in highly metabolic organs like the liver, heart, and kidney, where fatty acid oxidation is prominent and energy demand is high. Hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia can cause fatty change in other contexts, but the question focuses on anemia-related hypoxia as the trigger. Hyperoxia would not cause this pattern; it would counteract hypoxic injury.