Cirrhosis is end stages of liver disease where chronic inflammation of liver cells has caused an extensive build up of scar tissue in the liver. This scar tissue is not functional and cannot do the work of liver cells. Liver cells known as stellate cells produce the scar tissue to protect themselves from the inflammation that is occurring in the liver. This inflammation is produced by free radicals generated by viruses, toxins, unhealthy fats, alcohol, and some drugs or antibodies that are attacking liver cells.
A healthy liver does not have many stellate cells and they do not produce excessive amounts of scar tissue. In contrast, in a liver that is chronically inflamed, the stellate cells become activated and they multiply and produce excessive collagen. A cirrhotic liver is hardened with scar tissue, which reduces its blood supply. There is not enough healthy liver tissue to perform the metabolic and detoxification processes that the liver must perform to keep the body healthy.
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