Apoptosis and Necrosis: Two Types of Cell Death in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Heavy alcohol consumption over long periods of time can result in severe liver damage, including death of liver cells (i.e., hepatocytes). Two mechanisms—apoptosis and necrosis—can contribute to hepatocyte death. In apoptosis, the affected cell actively participates in the cell death process, whereas in necrosis the cell death occurs in response to adverse conditions in the cell’s environment. Numerous factors that may contribute to the initiation of hepatocyte apoptosis are affected by alcohol consumption. These factors include the enzyme cytochrome P450 2E1 (i.e., CYP2E1), small molecules (i.e., cytokines) involved in cell communication, oxidative stress, and changes in iron metabolism. Similarly, alcohol consumption can influence several factors believed to be involved in hepatocyte necrosis, including depletion of the energy-storing molecule adenosine-triphosphate, reduced oxygen levels (i.e., hypoxia) in the liver, oxidative stress, and bacterial molecules called endotoxins.