| Theme |
Oxidative Stress and the Liver |
| Title |
Alcoholic Liver Disease and Oxidative Stress |
| Author |
Yoshinori Horie |
Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Hiromasa Ishii |
Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine / Eiju General Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
Alcoholinduced oxidative stress in the liver is probably involved in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver diseases (ALD), and is closely linked to the metabolism of ethanol in hepatocytes through ADH, MEOS. Endotoxemia and cytokinemia, which are often observed in severe ALD, activate Kupffer cells or infiltrate neutrophils and macrophages resulting in the production of oxygen radicals. Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells can also metabolize ethanol, causing alcohol induced oxidative stress. Mitochondria play a critical role in the apoptotic response of hepatocytes. Alcohol induced oxidative stress in the liver causes mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent apoptosis of hepatocytes. Apoptosis contributes to substantial cell death by itself, and enhances hepatocyte necrosis and fibrosis of the liver in ALD. |