The current goals of research done in this field are to further elucidate the mechanisms governing the cellular response to apoptotic stimuli. A number of intracellular pathways are involved. The manipulation of these intracellular responses may alter the course of liver diseases. For example, liver function could be maintained in patients with cholestatic disorders with the inhibition of hepatocyte apoptosis. It is not always possible to address the underlying cause of liver disease (eg, in cases of autoimmune or chronic viral hepatitis); therefore, finding ways to make hepatocytes resistant to apoptotic signals may be useful in mitigating the liver injury. Continue reading