Review Article

Mitochondrial Roles and Cytoprotection in Chronic Liver Injury

Figure 2

The role of hepatocyte mitochondria in reactive oxygen species homeostasis. Mitochondria are a physiological source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this context, ROS exert a signaling role in cell proliferation and differentiation. However, different types of stress can target directly or indirectly hepatocyte mitochondria, such as drugs, virus, hypoxia, inflammatory cytokines, excess of -oxidation, ectopic expression of cytochromes P450. In this case, overproduction of ROS may damage both mitochondrial and other cellular components, such as OXPHOS protein subunits, lipid membranes, mitochondrial, or nuclear DNA. These cellular lesions can favor the development of tissue lesions, such as steatohepatitis or hepatocellular carcinoma.
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