The body tissue repair begins right after the acute inflammatory reaction, which is the result of tissue damage. It is the replacement of dead cells by new viable ones. These new cells may originate from the damaged parenchyma (an organ inherent cellular structure) or from connective tissue in the damaged area.
But parenchymal regeneration is very slow, since the cells that work together to perform the organ main function are stable and it takes a long time for them to multiply, as is the case with hepatocytes, the cells that constitute the liver. When this organ is damaged by either a viral infection or alcohol, it is the organ connective tissue cells that does the repair as they multiply much faster than the parenchymal cells. However, body tissue repair through proliferation of connective tissue is not good, especially for organs such as the liver, lungs, and the heart.
Unfortunately, when the liver is repeatedly wounded by a chronic disease or alcoholism, the liver parenchymal cells (hepatocytes) do not have time to undertake the repair, naturally regenerating, and are overtaken by massive connective tissue cells proliferation; and overtime, the organ become fibrous and rigid, rendering the organ unable to perform its functions. Thus, fibrosis is due to connective tissue repair. Fibrosis in the liver is cirrhosis.
