Work

Early-Phase Alcoholic Liver Disease: An Update on Animal Models, Pathology, and Pathogenesis

Year: 2004

Type: article

Abstract: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) remains to be one of the most common etiology of liver disease and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The pathologic stages of ALD comprises of steatosis, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis/cirrhosis. Steatosis and steatohepatitis represents the early phase of ALD and are precursor stages for fibrosis/cirrhosis. Numerous research efforts have been directed at recognizing cofactors interacting with alcohol in the pathogenesis of steatosis and steatohepatitis. This review will elucidate the constellation of complex pathogenesis, available animal models, and microscopic pathologic findings mostly in the early-phase of ALD. The role of endotoxin, reactive oxygen species, alcohol metabolism, and cytokines are discussed. Understanding the mechanisms of early-phase ALD should provide insight into the development of therapeutic strategies and thereby decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with ALD.

Source: International Journal of Toxicology

DOI: 10.1080/10915810490502069

Authors: Shashi K. Ramaiah, Chantal Rivera, Gavin E. Arteel

Institutions: Texas A&M University, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Louisville

Language: English

Topic: Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences