LIVER FIBROSIS: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND EMERGING THERAPEUTIC TARGETS FOR A COMMON COMPLICATION OF CHRONIC LIVER DISEASES

Abstract

Fibrosis of the liver, which can be caused by either viral or chemical chronic liver illnesses, is a serious issue for the world's health. Collagen is crucial for the development of the illness and the possibility of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is linked to the progression of liver damage. Although there are various mechanisms for acute liver injury and diseases-specific cells response, almost all of fatty liver aetiologies share similar trends in the development of fibrous liver damage. The scientific community's knowledge of the fundamental causes of fibrosis of the liver has undergone a significant shift during the last ten years. It has been shown that the fundamental trigger, such as the control or management of an infectious disease, can be eradicated or eliminated in order to reverse liver fibrosis. Reversing frequently occurs prematurely or too rarely, particularly in severe fibrosis, to avoid possibly fatal effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need for anti-fibrotic medications to halt the progression of liver damage and the appearance of HCC. Even though various anti-fibrotic medication options have shown strong anti-fibrotic effects in lab animals, research studies have only seen a small amount or none of these advantages. There is not an approved remedy for the condition as a result. In this article, we give a general overview of the physiological and molecular origins of collagen in chronic liver disease and investigate how these causes can impact the quickly developing field of anti-fibrotic treatments.