title: New therapies in hepatitis C virus and chronic liver disease: antifibrotics.
abstract: Fibrotic liver disease occurs after any of the various forms of injury to the liver. Fibrosis is a critical factor leading to hepatic dysfunction and portal hypertension and its complications. The fibrogenic cascade is complex but leads to accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, followed by nodular fibrosis, tissue contraction, and alteration in blood flow. A critical concept emerging is that activation of effector cells, which produce extracellular matrix, underlies the fibrogenic process. The aggregate data has not only helped lead to an understanding of the pathophysiologic basis of hepatic fibrogenesis, but it has also provided an important context with which to base novel antifibrotic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-8887, USA. don.rockey@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Don C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Rockey
mesh_terms: D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000254:growth & development*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012838:Silymarin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D012838:Silymarin; C005152:lipostabil; D016753:Interleukin-10; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D003078:Colchicine