Mechanisms of liver injury. III. Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus

J Choi, JH James Ou - American Journal of Physiology …, 2006 - journals.physiology.org
J Choi, JH James Ou
American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver …, 2006journals.physiology.org
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of viral hepatitis that can progress to hepatic
fibrosis, steatosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure. HCV infection is characterized
by a systemic oxidative stress that is most likely caused by a combination of chronic
inflammation, iron overload, liver damage, and proteins encoded by HCV. The increased
generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, together with the decreased antioxidant
defense, promotes the development and progression of hepatic and extrahepatic …
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of viral hepatitis that can progress to hepatic fibrosis, steatosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure. HCV infection is characterized by a systemic oxidative stress that is most likely caused by a combination of chronic inflammation, iron overload, liver damage, and proteins encoded by HCV. The increased generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, together with the decreased antioxidant defense, promotes the development and progression of hepatic and extrahepatic complications of HCV infection. This review discusses the possible mechanisms of HCV-induced oxidative stress and its role in HCV pathogenesis.
American Physiological Society