Following chronic liver damage from hepatitis C, which risk increases as hepatic stellate cells undergo activation and differentiation into myofibroblasts?

💡 Explanation

Activated hepatic stellate cells deposit extracellular matrix components, leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis; because fibrosis increases intrahepatic resistance, it causes portal hypertension. Portal hypertension occurs therefore, rather than the other options, as a direct result of the increased resistance from fibrosis, rather than changes in glucose production, phagocytosis or bile acid synthesis.

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