The liver exhibits a sophisticated structural and functional organization, which allows this organ to play a major role in a variety of homeostatic functions with respect to nutrient, endo- and xenobiotics processing and excretion, glucose and amino acid metabolism, plasma protein, and acid–base balance. The liver has a high regenerative capacity and is a major organ for synthesis of bile acids, which are required for intestinal fat absorption and also act as signaling molecules in a variety of tissues. Liver function is compromised in a variety of liver diseases which are frequently accompanied by extrahepatic manifestations such as hepatic encephalopathy.