Novel in vitro models of alcohol-mediated hepatic injury

Only a fraction of drinkers develops significant hepatic inflammation, and even less progresses to significant hepatic fibrosis. There is evidence for combined effects of alcohol and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on the progression of liver injury. Still, the mechanisms of this combined pathophysiological effect are not well understood.The aim of this study was to establish in vitro models to study the direct effects of alcohol on hepatocytes and indirect hepatocyte mediated effects on hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Methods and Results: Hepatoma cells and primary human hepatocytes (PHH) were incubated with dif…