How can the liver's ability to function be impaired?

The liver can be significantly impaired by inflammation, particularly during conditions like hepatitis. In hepatitis, the liver tissue becomes inflamed due to viral infections, alcohol abuse, or autoimmune diseases, affecting the liver's ability to perform its numerous critical functions. When inflammation occurs, liver cells (hepatocytes) can be damaged, leading to compromised metabolism of nutrients, synthesis of proteins, and detoxification processes. This impairment can manifest as elevated liver enzymes in blood tests, jaundice, decreased synthetic function, and a host of metabolic disturbances.

Understanding this process is key when studying liver physiology, as healthy liver function is essential for maintaining overall metabolic balance, synthesizing vital proteins like albumin and clotting factors, and managing the body’s biochemical environment. Conditions that cause inflammation, such as hepatitis, disrupt these vital functions, highlighting the seriousness of maintaining liver health.