How the Liver Repairs Itself

The liver can repair itself after injury, and this process depends on several specialized liver cells. The liver also has key jobs in metabolism. It stores and redistributes carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins. It also releases bile salts, which help digest food and remove toxic metabolites from the body.

In vertebrates, the liver is the only organ that can regenerate after injury, infection, or partial surgical removal.

Approximately 80% of the liver mass is hepatocytes — cells responsible for most liver functions. These cells remain in the G0 phase of the cell cycle unless stimulated.

Upon injury, Kupffer cells — phagocytic cells ...