The role of Kupffer cell oxidant production in early ethanol-induced liver disease

Free Radic Biol Med. 2001 Dec 15;31(12):1544-9. doi: 10.1016/s0891-5849(01)00748-1.

Abstract

Considerable evidence for a role of Kupffer cells in alcoholic liver disease has accumulated and they have recently been shown to be a predominant source of free radicals. Several approaches including pharmacological agents, knockout mice, and viral gene transfer have been used to fill critical gaps in understanding key mechanisms by which Kupffer cell activation, oxidant formation, and cytokine production lead to liver damage and subsequent pathogenesis. This review highlights new data in support of the hypothesis that Kupffer cells play a pivotal role in hepatotoxicity due to ethanol by producing oxidants via NADPH oxidase.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Ethanol / toxicity*
  • Free Radical Scavengers / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Kupffer Cells / metabolism*
  • Kupffer Cells / physiology
  • Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / drug therapy
  • Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout / genetics
  • Oxidants / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / deficiency
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / genetics
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I
  • Transgenes / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antioxidants
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Oxidants
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I
  • Ethanol