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Reversal of hepatic fibrosis: pathophysiological basis of antifibrotic therapies

Chronic liver injuries of different etiologies eventually lead to fibrosis, a scarring process associated with increased and altered deposition of extracellular matrix in the liver. Progression of fibrosis has a major worldwide clinical impact due to the high number of patients affected by chronic l...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Ismail, Mona H, Pinzani, Massimo
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Dove Medical Press 2011
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3846600/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24367223
http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/HMER.S9051
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author Ismail, Mona H
Pinzani, Massimo
author_facet Ismail, Mona H
Pinzani, Massimo
author_sort Ismail, Mona H
collection PubMed
description Chronic liver injuries of different etiologies eventually lead to fibrosis, a scarring process associated with increased and altered deposition of extracellular matrix in the liver. Progression of fibrosis has a major worldwide clinical impact due to the high number of patients affected by chronic liver disease which can lead to severe complications, expensive treatment, a possible need for liver transplantation, and death. Liver fibrogenesis is characterized by activation of hepatic stellate cells and other extracellular matrix producing cells. Liver fibrosis may regress following specific therapeutic interventions. Other than removing agents causing chronic liver damage, no antifibrotic drug is currently available in clinical practice. The extent of liver fibrosis is variable between individuals, even after controlling for exogenous factors. Thus, host genetic factors are considered to play an important role in the process of liver scarring. Until recently it was believed that this process was irreversible. However, emerging experimental and clinical evidence is starting to show that even cirrhosis in its early stages is potentially reversible.
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spelling pubmed-38466002013-12-23 Reversal of hepatic fibrosis: pathophysiological basis of antifibrotic therapies Ismail, Mona H Pinzani, Massimo Hepat Med Review Chronic liver injuries of different etiologies eventually lead to fibrosis, a scarring process associated with increased and altered deposition of extracellular matrix in the liver. Progression of fibrosis has a major worldwide clinical impact due to the high number of patients affected by chronic liver disease which can lead to severe complications, expensive treatment, a possible need for liver transplantation, and death. Liver fibrogenesis is characterized by activation of hepatic stellate cells and other extracellular matrix producing cells. Liver fibrosis may regress following specific therapeutic interventions. Other than removing agents causing chronic liver damage, no antifibrotic drug is currently available in clinical practice. The extent of liver fibrosis is variable between individuals, even after controlling for exogenous factors. Thus, host genetic factors are considered to play an important role in the process of liver scarring. Until recently it was believed that this process was irreversible. However, emerging experimental and clinical evidence is starting to show that even cirrhosis in its early stages is potentially reversible. Dove Medical Press 2011-07-04 /pmc/articles/PMC3846600/ /pubmed/24367223 http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/HMER.S9051 Text en © 2011 Ismail and Pinzani, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, provided the original work is properly cited.
spellingShingle Review
Ismail, Mona H
Pinzani, Massimo
Reversal of hepatic fibrosis: pathophysiological basis of antifibrotic therapies
title Reversal of hepatic fibrosis: pathophysiological basis of antifibrotic therapies
title_full Reversal of hepatic fibrosis: pathophysiological basis of antifibrotic therapies
title_fullStr Reversal of hepatic fibrosis: pathophysiological basis of antifibrotic therapies
title_full_unstemmed Reversal of hepatic fibrosis: pathophysiological basis of antifibrotic therapies
title_short Reversal of hepatic fibrosis: pathophysiological basis of antifibrotic therapies
title_sort reversal of hepatic fibrosis: pathophysiological basis of antifibrotic therapies
topic Review
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3846600/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24367223
http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/HMER.S9051
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