These include low HDL and total cholesterol levels, increased proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha), endotoxemia (lipopolysaccharide), decreased apolipoprotein A-1 level, and hemorrhage and infarction in the adrenal gland due to proclivity to hemorrhage and thrombosis in cirrhosis. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is serum lipopolysaccharide activity.