The role of mitochondria during chronic liver diseases (Grattagliano, 2011)

Mitochondria are the primary source of energy for hepatocytes and play a major role in extensive oxidative metabolism and normal liver function. This critical role also designates mitochondria as a gateway function at the center of signaling pathways mediating hepatocyte injury, as impaired mitochondrial function can affect cell survival and contribute to the development and persistence of liver disease.

Major changes include impaired electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation resulting in the reduced oxidative metabolism of various substrates, reduced ATP synthesis and reduced tolerance of hepatocytes to stress injury. Mitochondrial dysfunction is often accompanied by structural changes that result in swelling of organelles and formation of inclusion bodies in the mitochondrial matrix.