In this book, the authors present topical research in the study of the causes, treatment and prevention of liver disease and peritonitis. Topics discussed include abnormal circulating adiponectin levels which are closely associated with the development of chronic liver disease; systemic immuno-inflammatory response to severe peritonitis; the pathogenesis and therapy of peritonitis in cirrhosis; ethnic disparities in liver diseases and alteration of adhesion molecules expression and cellular polarity in liver disease.