In contrast with the traditional view that cirrhosis is an irreversible
disease, recent evidence indicates that even advanced fibrosis is
reversible
(122). In experimentally induced fibrosis, cessation of liver injury
results
in fibrosis regression (123). In humans, spontaneous resolution of
liver
fibrosis can occur after successful treatment of the underlying
disease. This
observation has been described in patients with iron and copper
overload,
alcohol- induced liver injury, chronic hepatitis C, B, and D,
hemochromatosis,
secondary biliary cirrhosis, NASH, and autoimmune hepatitis (19, 122,
124,125,
Sl, S2) (Figure 4). It may take years for significant regression to be
achieved; the time varies depending on the underlying cause of the
liver
disease and its severity. Chronic HCV infection is the most extensively
studied condition, and therapy (IFN-a plus ribavirin) with viral
clearance
results in fibrosis improvement. Importantly, nearly half of patients
with
cirrhosis exhibit reversal to a significant degree (90). Whether this
beneficial effect is associated with improvements in long-term clinical
outcome, incl\uding decreased portal hypertension, is unknown.
http://www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=134481&source=r_health
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Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
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