Fibrogenesis in cirrhosis. Potential for therapeutic intervention.
Liver cirrhosis is an end stage of several diseases that affect the liver chronically. It is characterized, among other things, by excess collagen deposition, distortion of liver architecture, tissue malfunction and hemodynamic alterations. Many of the complications of cirrhosis may result from excess matrix-deposition. Therefore, prevention of collagen accumulation or removal of collagen deposits could ameliorate the disease. In this article we discuss the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and we describe various compounds with antiinflammatory and antifibrogenic activity. We discuss their possible mechanism of action and we describe animal and clinical studies in which these compounds have been utilized.
Rojkind
M
M
Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid