Hepatocyte

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A hepatocyte is a specialized epithelial cell that makes up about 80% of the liver's mass. Hepatocytes are round in shape and contain a nucleus and many cellular organelles associated with metabolic and secretory functions.

Hepatocytes are involved in many liver functions, including:

Protein synthesis, Protein storage, Detoxification, Carbohydrate metabolism, Lipid metabolism, Secretion of albumin, Clotting factors.

Hepatocytes have a very slow turnover in healthy livers, but they show strong regenerative capacity after acute liver injury. Remaining hepatocytes proliferate or grow to compensate for lost tissue.

Hepatocytes are also a key cell type for innate immunity. They respond to stimulation by IL-6, IL-1β, and other cytokines in the serum and produce large amounts of APPs, which kill bacteria and regulate the immune response. They produce IL-6 and IL-18.

Pachymic acid protects hepatic cells against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion injury.