title: Hepatic nervous system and neurobiology of the liver.
abstract: The liver has a nervous system containing both afferent and efferent neurons that are involved in a number of processes. The afferent arm includes the sensation of lipids, glucose, and metabolites (after eating and drinking) and triggers the nervous system to make appropriate physiological changes. The efferent arm is essential for metabolic regulation, modulation of fibrosis and biliary function and the control of a number of other processes. Experimental models have helped us to establish how: (i) the liver is innervated by the autonomic nervous system; and (ii) the cell types that are involved in these processes. Thus, the liver acts as both a sensor and effector that is influenced by neurological signals and ablation. Understanding these processes hold significant implications in disease processes such as diabetes and obesity, which are influenced by appetite and hormonal signals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, and Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Temple, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Kendal Jay
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alpini
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Glaser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D009476:Neurons, Efferent / Q000502:physiology