Abstract
Old age is associated with changes in the cells of the hepatic sinusoid. The liver sinusoidal endothelial cell undergoes pseudocapillarization characterized by defenestration, thickening, and altered expression of endothelial and extracellular matrix antigens. Pseudocapillarization contributes to age-related dyslipidemia and reduction in hepatic perfusion and might also have a role in age-related changes in drug metabolism and susceptibility to autoimmune disease. Old age is also associated with impaired endocytosis activity by liver endothelial cells. With respect to the other cells of the hepatic sinusoid and aging, there are increased numbers of activated Kupffer cells but they respond less well to stimuli. Stellate cells become engorged with fat and do not appear to be activated. Such aging changes in the cells of the hepatic sinusoid are likely to impact on overall hepatic function.