Liver regeneration and alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver diseases (ALD) are a wide spectrum of liver diseases caused by excessive alcohol consumption, from steatosis to cirrhosis. The pathogenesis of ALD is insufficiently understood, but mainly involves oxidative stress, inflammation, bacterial translocation, cell death, and impaired regeneration. Despite numerous attempts to improve patient prognosis, the treatment of advanced ALD is still based on abstinence, brief exposure to corticosteroids, or liver transplantation. However, poor response to corticosteroids and the shortage of liver donors leaves patients helpless towards the end stages. Advances in basic research have contributed to a better understanding of ALD pathophysiology, which offers new options for treatment. In recent years, several therapies related to liver regeneration have been tested with promising prospects, including molecule-induced liver regeneration, stem cell transplantation, and full-function 3D artificial liver assembly. This review discusses mechanisms underlying ALD that can be considered therapeutic targets for regeneration-based treatments.