Pathogenesis of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Clin Liver Dis. 2024 Nov;28(4):647-661. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2024.06.005. Epub 2024 Jul 23.

Abstract

The pathogenesis of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is complex and multifactorial. Several intracellular, intrahepatic, and extrahepatic factors influence development of early fatty liver injury leading to inflammation and fibrosis. Alcohol metabolism, cellular stress, and gut-derived factors contribute to hepatocyte and immune cell injury leading to cytokine and chemokine production. The pathogenesis of alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH), an advanced form of acute-on-chronic liver failure due to excessive chronic intake in patients with underlying liver disease, is not well understood. While pathogenic mechanisms in early ALD are studied, the pathogenesis of AH requires further investigation to help design effective drugs for patients.

Keywords: Alcohol associated liver disease; Chemokines; Cytokines; Fatty liver; Immune cells; Inflammation; Interorgan crosstalk; Pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Ethanol / adverse effects
  • Hepatitis, Alcoholic / etiology
  • Humans
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Diseases, Alcoholic* / etiology

Substances

  • Ethanol
  • Cytokines