The Liver's Regenerative Ability: A Biological Superpower

The liver possesses a remarkable ability to regenerate itself, making it a biological superpower. It is a resilient and unsung hero in medicine that performs numerous vital functions to keep us alive. The liver can withstand and recover from two distinct types of injury: cellular injury and resection. In the case of cellular injury, regeneration primarily occurs in zone two hepatocytes, which act as a reservoir for other zones in the liver. On the other hand, regeneration after resection or partial hepatectomy involves a global proliferation and hypertrophy of major liver cell types. Hemodynamic changes, platelet contact with hepatocytes, inflammation, and growth factor activity play crucial roles in triggering and sustaining the regenerative process. The liver's regenerative capacity is a complex orchestration of cellular signaling and gene expression that begins immediately after injury and continues until the liver is fully restored.