Open AccessPathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis: Role of inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress
Author(s) -
Sarat Jampana,
Rashid Nehal Khan
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
world journal of hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 55
ISSN - 1948-5182
DOI - 10.4254/wjh.v3.i5.114
Subject(s) - medicine , oxidative stress , alcoholic hepatitis , pathogenesis , immunology , tumor necrosis factor alpha , alcoholic liver disease , inflammation , signal transduction , cytokine , hepatitis , cirrhosis , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress are two major components in the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis. Alcohol consumption results in translocation of gut bacteria into the portal system along with lipopolysaccharides that interact with toll-like receptors and results in the production of inflammatory and immunogenic mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferons. Chronic consumption of alcohol causes priming of this process in which there is enhanced production of cytokines, interferon, interleukins, and TNF-α. Oxidative stress, genetic predisposition, and the unfolded protein response are other contributory mechanisms. Novel therapies aimed at these pathways may prevent, decrease, or delay the complications of alcoholic hepatitis.