Oxidant stress in type I autoimmune hepatitis: the link between necroinflammation and fibrogenesis?

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease of unknown aetiology characterized by circulating autoantibodies, hyperglobulinaemia and interface hepatitis. The mechanisms of progression from initial autoimmune attack to fibrosis and cirrhosis are unclear but oxidant stress may be involved. Markers of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status, hepatic fibrogenesis and liver function were measured in blood and urine in 35 controls and in 33 patients with type-1 AIH; histology was assessed in 18 patients.

Oxidant stress is a significant feature of primary biliary cirrhosis.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic disorder characterised by an immunological, and often granulomatous, attack on bile ducts leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure and death. Animal and human studies suggest that oxidant stress plays a key role in progression of other liver diseases, but no comprehensive investigation has been performed previously in PBC. A wide range of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant markers were measured in the blood and urine of 41 patients with histologically confirmed PBC.

Oxidative stress in chronic hepatitis C: not just a feature of late stage disease.

Background/aims: Chronic hepatitis C infection is a major world-wide problem, frequently progressing to cirrhosis, liver failure or hepatoma. The pathological mechanisms of disease progression are unclear but oxidant stress may play a role.

Methods: Markers of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status, hepatic fibrogenesis and liver function were measured in blood or urine from 42 chronic hepatitis C patients.