Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
8
pubmed:dateCreated
2007-6-22
pubmed:abstractText
Fibrosis and cirrhosis represent the consequences of a sustained wound-healing response to chronic liver injury of any cause. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) has emerged as a leading cause of cirrhosis in the USA and throughout the world. HCV may induce fibrogenesis directly by hepatic stellate cell activation or indirectly by promoting oxidative stress and apoptosis of infected cells. The ultimate result of chronic HCV injury is the accumulation of extracellular matrix with high density type I collagen within the subendothelial space of Disse, culminating in cirrhosis with hepatocellular dysfunction. The treatment of hepatitis C with the combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is still both problematic and costly, has suboptimal efficacy, serious side effects and a high level of intolerance, and is contraindicated in many patients. Hence, new approaches have assumed greater importance, for which there is an urgent need. The sustained progress in understanding the pathophysiology of hepatic fibrosis in the past two decades has increased the possibility of developing drugs specifically targeting the fibrogenic process. Future efforts should identify genetic markers associated with fibrosis risk in order to tailor the treatment of HCV infection based on genetically regulated pathways of injury and/or fibrosis. Such advances will expand the arsenal to overcome liver fibrosis, particularly in patients with hepatic diseases who have limited treatment options, such as those patients with chronic hepatitis C who have a high risk of fibrosis progression and recurrent HCV disease after liver transplantation.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:status
PubMed-not-MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
1386-6346
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
37
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
579-95
pubmed:year
2007
pubmed:articleTitle
Immunopathogenesis of hepatitis C virus infection and hepatic fibrosis: New insights into antifibrotic therapy in chronic hepatitis C.
pubmed:affiliation
School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article