The role of the sinusoidal endothelium in liver function

Microvascular exchange in the liver is governed by fenestrations in sinusoi dal endothelial cells and can be manipulated pharmacologically. Microvascul ar exchange is affected in alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis, the forme r leading to a loss of fenestrae, the latter to sinusoidal capillarization and thereby to loss of liver function in disease.