Oxidative stress in viral HEPATITIS B and C

Abstract

Chronic infections are controlled by a variety of mechanisms, including the induction of oxidative stress. Some viral infections reduce the ability to defend against pro-oxidant strains, especially in liver cells. Oxidative and nitrosative stress can damage cellular membranes, disrupt mitochondrial function, alter gene expression, promote the apoptosis and necrosis of hepatocytes, and increase fibrosis in diverse acute andchronic liver diseases. Chronic infections caused by the hepatotropic viruses hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus are the main risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the obvious clinical importance of virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Oxidative stress plays an important role in carcinogenesis, especially with DNA lesions caused by oxidative damage additionally there are strongly linked to the development of many cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma.Many studies have shown that both hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus cause hepatic oxidative stress.