[Clinical aspects of alcohol induced liver injury (author's transl)]

Chronic alcohol consumption results in early biochemical and ultrastructural alterations of the hepatocyte which in turn may lead to alcoholic fatty liver as well as alcoholic hepatitis and via the central hyaline sclerosis to fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver. Already at the stage of the alcoholic fatty liver an isolated increase of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activity can often be observed; it results from hepatic microsomal enzyme induction and may facilitate early recognition of alcoholic liver injury. To establish the diagnosis, however, a histological examination of the liver is necessary. The therapy of alcohol-induced liver injury is based upon an absolute alcohol abstinence since alcohol itself or one of its metabolites are hepatotoxic.