Alcohol and the liver.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To update the reader with advances in epidemiology, genetics, detection, pathogenesis and therapy of alcohol-related liver disease.

RECENT FINDINGS: Ill-health due to alcohol abuse is improving in some nations but deteriorating in others. Oxidative and nitrosative stress are key to the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease, and there is now greater emphasis than previously on their development and role of cytochrome P450 2E1, on mitochondrial stress and disruption, (including elucidation of mitochondrial protection mechanisms) disturbance of signaling pathways and involvement of extrahepatic mediators like adiponectin. Treatment of alcoholic liver disease has stagnated, but transplantation is still favored and debated for end-stage cirrhosis.

SUMMARY: Basic and clinical research into the mechanisms of alcoholic liver disease is making headway, but has yet to produce safe and effective therapies for alcoholic hepatitis and for reversing cirrhosis.