Observations on Hepato-Protective Drugs in Alcoholic Liver Disease

The need for hepato-protective substances is discussed in thecontext of the natural history of cirrhosis and the likelihoodthat a significant proportion of patients will continue to drink.The mechanisms of liver injury are reviewed as a rational basisfor drug action. The fundamental importance of animal modelsis acknowledged and their relevance to the human situation considered.The numerous drugs which may benefit the alcoholic are brieflyexamined with suggestions for future research. It is stressed that organs other than the liver, notably thebrain, are also subject to damage from alcohol and that dueregard must be paid to the effects of protective drugs on theseorgans.