**1. Chronic Liver Disease (CLD)**

Liver injury induces inflammation, necrosis of hepatocytes, angiogenesis, the wound-healing response and the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins; followed by a process of hepatocyte regeneration to replace dead hepatocytes and restore the physiological liver mass [1,2]. Liver fibrosis typically reverts after elimination of the causative injury. However, if the damage persists and a chronic response is established, liver fibrosis can progress to cirrhosis, which is characterized by the distortion of the hepatic parenchyma and vascular structures that can eventually lead to hepatic loss of function and potential loss of reversibility [3]. At this stage, if the injury is not withdrawn, patients are at risk of end-stage liver disease and complications such as portal hypertension, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver failure [3,4].
