title: Alcohol and the liver.
abstract: Alcohol remains the most common cause of cirrhosis in the Western world. This article reviews the increased understanding of the mechanisms by which alcohol damages the liver, why individuals differ in their susceptibility to alcohol, current treatments available and those which may have a role to play in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hills
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Westaby
mesh_terms: D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol; D000079:Acetaldehyde