Conjugated Hyperbilirubinemia in Chronic Hepatofibrosis

In some liver diseases, there is actually upregulation of UGT enzymes in those remaining hepatocytes. The levels of the specific isoform that we've been talking about that conjugated bilirubin remain stable as the degree of liver fibrosis progresses. And this is true even in the severest forms of fibrosis and cirrhosis. This strongly suggests that it's not just the levels being increased because they're being secreted from the hepatocytes, but the hepatocytes are actually working overtime to make those enzymes.