Hepatitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hepatitis, including details on hepatitis a, b, c, causes, symptoms.

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

Choi J, Ou JH

School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA, USA.

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.

Published 10 April 2006 in Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, 290(5): G847-51.
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