ROS/RNS as molecular signatures of chronic liver diseases.

ABSTRACT

The liver can succumb to oxidant damage during the development of chronic liver diseases. Despite their physiological relevance to hepatic homeostasis, excessive reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) production under pathological conditions is detrimental to all liver constituents. Chronic oxidative stress coupled to unresolved inflammation sets in motion the activation of profibrogenic hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and later pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. The liver antioxidant and repair systems, along with autophagic and ferroptotic machineries, are implicated in the onset and trajectory of disease development. In this review, we discuss the ROS/RNS-related mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis of distinct etiologies and highlight preclinical and clinical trials of antifibrotic therapies premised on remediating oxidative/nitrosative stress in hepatocytes or targeting HSC activation.