Models of Hepatotoxicity for the Study of Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract

Chronic liver disease affects globally and has a high morbidity and mortality rate. It is histopathologically characterized by the presence of inflammation, and the progressive destruction and regeneration of the hepatic parenchyma, which can lead to the development of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Most liver diseases tend to become chronic and can be therefore studied in animal models, as it is possible to quickly develop pathological processes in animals with a high degree of reproducibility and obtain predictive data regarding the different hepatopathies. The development of animal models in the field of hepatology has been geared toward the search for new knowledge meant to favor human well-being and proved useful in translational medicine focused on liver disease. Like any other methodological tool, animal models provide valuable. Obviously, a single model cannot reproduce the complexity and spectrum of all liver diseases, which is why a wide variety are currently employed: they include chemically, immune, diet, surgically, and genetically modified damage in animals and involve biological agents or the use of humanized livers in rodents. This chapter surveys some of the main animal models used in the study of chronic liver disease and the disease characteristics they mimic.