The Italian Group for the Study of Liver Cirrhosis began its activity in 1980 on the basis of recognition and financial support from the Italian Ministry of the University, Scientific Research and Technology, having been chosen from several other scientific programs. The group is now called the National Group for the Study of Liver Cirrhosis and Viral Hepatitis and includes more than 40 centers throughout the nation under the auspices of the universities. The primary Imtlatlve of the group, to combine experimental and clinical approaches in the study of liver pathophysiology, remains unchanged. Annual meetings in January provide the possibility of comparing experimental and clinical results in the spirit of mutual comprehension and criticism. After 15 years and 6 volumes (published biannually), the actual improvement of Italian research in liver pathophysiology is evident. In fact, in order to let other researchers know what has been achieved we chose to publish the 7th volume, in spite of the economic difficulties at hand. We have gathered specific experiences of all the centers included in the national program. Each group was required to present an update in its own field of research, rather than specific or recently obtained results, which could have been reported only in relationship with other data already published by others. Like the 6th edition in our series, this volume affirms the specific competence of all the participants and summarizes the most important updates in liver pathophysiology.