More at Risk
"Our study shows that individuals with genes favoring a strong immune response are those at most risk of alcoholic liver disease," Dr Day told the AASLD in Dallas. "The mechanisms of alcoholic liver disease may involve the immune system attacking ‘self’ proteins altered into ‘foreign’ antigens (neoantigens) by reaction with alcohol metabolites." In simple terms, that means drinking alcohol causes a reaction in some people in which their body begins attacking itself, damaging the liver. This may explain why alcoholic cirrhosis usually develops after more than a decade of heavy drinking, but much sooner in some drinkers.

Our study shows that individuals with genes favoring a strong immune response are those most at risk of alcohol liver disease," said Day. Dr Day's research identified an antibody response to alcohol consumption which is linked to polymorphisms - genetic variants found in at least one percent of the population. People who possess these polymorphisms appear to be susceptible to liver damage at lower levels of alcohol consumption. "This is very important work but there is still a long way to go to understand what stimulates the immune system to amplify the damage to the liver," David Adams, professor of hepatology at the University of Birmingham, told BBC News.

Loss of liver function affects the body in many ways. Here is a list of common problems, or complications, caused by cirrhosis. One of the well-known symptoms of cirrhosis is jaundice, which causing a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Generally by the time jaundice develops, the liver has been severely damaged.