Liver and aging

In conclusion, available data are not sufficient to conclude that ageper se compromises liver functions in general as long as subjects maintain their health. This does not mean, however, that livers in the elderly can always function as efficiently as those in the young. In many situations, where the physical condition of the subjects is impaired, the liver in the elderly will respond to these stresses more sensitively, its function may decline more drastically and the recovery of reduced function may also be slower. In other words, if clinicians find evidence of liver malfunction in the elderly with no obvious liver diseases, (e.g., lower albumin, increase in ICG test, etc.), they should suspect latent morbidity in the patient and be ready for the possible impairment for other liver functions such as drug metabolism and detoxification. In other words, the aging of the liver is not a disease, and the aging liver maintains its sound functions. However, aged liver can be a factor in the reduction of liver functions, if unfavorable conditions like morbidities accompany it. This can occur in any patient with malnutrition and/or infection and, therefore, aging can be regarded as a latent liver disease factor in countries or communities where malnutrition and infections are prevalent. In this sense, the aging liver must be regarded as a potentially diseased liver, with no specific nomenclature.