Copyright
©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Hepatol. Mar 27, 2014; 6(3): 137-143
Published online Mar 27, 2014. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v6.i3.137
Published online Mar 27, 2014. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v6.i3.137
Role of intrahepatic innervation in regulating the activity of liver cells
Letitia Adela Maria Streba, Alin Gabriel Ionescu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200348 Craiova, Romania
Cristin Constantin Vere, Costin Teodor Streba, Ion Rogoveanu, Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200348 Craiova, Romania
Author contributions: Streba LAM and Vere CC made an equal contribution in preparing the manuscript and share first authorship; Ionescu AG and Streba CT performed part of the literature research; Streba CT critically revised the text; Rogoveanu I supervised the writing of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Costin Teodor Streba, MD, PhD, MSc, Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, St. Petru Rares No. 2-4, 200348 Craiova, Romania. costinstreba@gmail.com
Telephone: +40-722-389906 Fax: +40-351-401376
Received: September 28, 2013
Revised: November 5, 2013
Accepted: January 15, 2014
Published online: March 27, 2014
Revised: November 5, 2013
Accepted: January 15, 2014
Published online: March 27, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Liver innervation comprises sympathetic, parasympathetic and peptidergic nerve fibers, organized as either afferent or efferent nerves with different origins and roles. Their anatomy and physiology have been studied in the past 30 years, with different results published over time. Hepatocytes are the main cell population of the liver, making up almost 80% of the total liver volume. The interaction between hepatocytes and nerve fibers is accomplished through a wealth of neurotransmitters and signaling pathways.