DNA repair in ageing in the liver is been a topic of discussion recently. M. Lebel et al. have explained the role of genetic instability in age-related loss of liver function and renders them to be important in understanding and combating diminished liver function with age.

S. J. Mitchell et al. raised concerns regarding the current prescribing guidelines for paracetamol in older people. They reported a general lack of knowledge about pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of this common analgesic in the older person, which may risk underdosing of this important analgesic and cause accidental hepatotoxicity.

D. L. Schmucker and H. Sanchez explained that the regenerative capacity of the older liver is not impaired instead the rate of regeneration is reduced. This conclusion will serve an important purpose regarding the use of donor livers from older people in liver transplantation.

A. Warren et al. carried out an ultrastructural study of the liver in old age and showed lipid engorgement of the cells with ageing and no activation. Old age lacks Smooth muscle actin expression, the hallmark of the hepatic stellate cell dedifferentiation into a fibroblast, was demonstrated in this study. This finding indicated the ageing changes in the liver different from pathological processes seen in disease states.

X. He et al. discussed cancer therapy in the older person and the effects of liver-related changes in the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy agents. comorbidities and poor functional status omit older people from drug therapy trials in this area. Treatment efficacy can be increased and toxicity can be decreased in this group by individualizing treatment according to age and comorbidities.

L. Gan et al. examined nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in ageing and described advanced age to be associated with disease severity and fibrosis progression. They further described that a large majority of individuals with progressive forms of NAFLD develop cirrhosis by the age of 70 or beyond. 

Source: Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research,2011; 2011. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/150364