The beginning of a new millennium is an ideal opportunity to look back, to contemplate the present and to envisage what the future might have to offer. This seems particularly appropriate for the rapidly developing field of hepatology. Therefore, the aim of the Falk Symposium 117, Hepatology 2000, held in Munich on 4-6 May 2000, was to offer state-of-the-art information on the most important aspects of hepatology and to discuss the challenges of the future. The presentations were given by experts in their respective areas, providing an update and at the same time incorporating the most recent developments. These proceedings, a tour d''horizon of hepatology at the highest clinical and scientific level, is dedicated to Gustav Paumgartner who has retired from his duties as chairman of the Department of Medicine II at the University of Munich- Großhadern. The scientific organisers take this opportunity to thank their academic teacher and to honour his lifelong engagement and achievements in hepatology. This book is cordially dedicated to him.

List of Principal Contributors. Preface. Section I: Cholestatic Liver Diseases: Physiology, Pathophysiology and Genetics. 1. Adaptive Responses in Bile Salt Transport Proteins in Cholangiocytes and Kidney in a Rat Model of Obstructive Cholestasis; J. Lee, et al. 2. Drug and Steroid Clearance by the Hepatic Organic Anion Transporting Protein Family; G.A. Kullak-Ublick, et al. 3. Down-regulation and Inhibition of 11beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase: Another Explanation for Sodium Retention and Ascites Formation in Bile Duct-Ligated Rats; J. Reichen, et al. 4. The Role of Survival Signals in Bile Acid Modulation of Apoptosis; C. Rust, et al. 5. Genetic Transport Defects as Causes of Cholestasis; P.L.M. Jansen, M. Müller. Section II: Cholestatic Liver Diseases: Pathogenesis and Treatment. 6. Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: A Model Cholestatic Disease of Adults; M.E. Gershwin, et al. 7. Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): Potential Causes and Pathogenic Mechanisms; D. Pessayre, et al. 8. Current Therapeutic Approaches to Autoimmune Cholestatic Liver Disease; R. Poupon, R.E. Poupon. 9. Mechanisms of Action of Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Cholestasis; U. Beuers. 10. Endoscopic Treatment of Patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis; A. Stiehl. Section III: Gallstone Disease. 11. Functional and Genetic Studies of Abcc2 in Inbred Mice: Evidence for a Primary Role of the Canalicular Conjugate Organic Anion Transporter in Lith2-transmitted Cholesterol Gallstone Susceptibility; G. Bouchard, et al. 12. Regulation of Biliary Lipid Secretion; A.K. Groen, R.P.J. Oude-Elferink. 13. Pathogenesis and Clinical Relevance of Biliary Sludge; S.P. Lee, C.W. Ko. 14. Treatment of Gallstone Disease &endash; Non-Surgical; M. Sackmann. 15. Surgical Treatment of Gallstone Disease; G. Meyer, et al. Section IV: Liver Cirrhosis: Pathogenesis and Treatment of Portal Hypertension. 16. Altered Function of Splanchnic Vasculature; D. Lebrec, R. Moreau. 17. Liver Cirrhosis: Pathogenesis and Treatment of Portal Hypertension &endash; Role of Hepatic Stellate Cells; M. Pinzani. 18. Pharmacotherapy of portal hypertension; J. Bosch. 19. The Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt for Treatment of Variceal Bleeding; M. Rössle. Section V: Liver Cirrhosis: Pathogenesis and Treatment of Ascites and Encephalopathy. 20. Pathogenesis of Ascites and Hepatorenal Syndrome: Altered Haemodynamics and Neurohumoral Systems; M. Bernardi, P. Caraceni. 21. Therapy of Ascites and Hepatorenal Syndrome: Novel Approaches; V. Gülberg, A.L. Gerbes. 22. Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis, Treatment and Prophylaxis; P. Gines, R. Ortega. 23. Hepatic Encephalopathy; D. Häussinger, et al. Section VI: Viral Hepatitis: New Perspective on Pathogenesis and Molecular Virology.24. Pathogenesis of Hepatitis C Virus Infection; H.M. Diepolder, et al. 25. Viral Hepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma; W.H. Caselmann. Section VII: Viral Hepatitis: Present and Future Perspectives in Therapy and Vaccine Development. 26. Viral Hepatitis: The Molecular Approach; H.E. Blum, et al. 27. Future Strategies in Hepatitis Therapy: The Immunological Approach; M.-C. Jung. Section VIII: Liver Transplantation: The Donor Organ. 28. Mechanisms of Ischemia &endash; Reperfusion Injury; H. Jaeschke. 29. Potential of Preconditioning; M. Bilzer, et al. 30. Sinusoidal Endothelial Cell Injury During Hepatic Preservation and Reperfusion; P.-A. Clavien. 31. Xeno-Transplantation &endash; the Future? E. Thein, C. Hammer. 32. Split Livers and Living Donors &endash; Where do we Stand Today? M. Hertl, et al. Section IX: Liver Transplantation: The Recipient. 33. Acute Liver Failure and Development of Liver Support Therapy; P. Neuhaus. 34. Problems of Viral Hepatitis in Liver Transplantation; M.P. Manns, et al. 35. Rejection and Immunosuppression: Novel Strategies; J. Neuberger. 36. Liver Transplantation: The Recipient Problems of Anaesthesia; M. Thiel, et al. 37. ...