Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Mechanisms of Liver Injury. III. Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus

2006; American Physiological Society; Volume: 290; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1152/ajpgi.00522.2005

1522-1547

Jinah Choi, J.-H. James Ou,

Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects

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.