Overview on the mechanisms of drug-induced liver cell death

• Main Authors: Ignazio Grattagliano, MD, Piero Portincasa, MD PhD, Vincenzo O Palmieri, MD PhD, Giuseppe Palasciano, MD PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2002-10-01
• Series: Annals of Hepatology
• Subjects: Apoptosis; drug-induced liver injury; hepatotoxicity; necrosis
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S166526811932160X

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is a significant and still unresolved clinical problem. The limitation in current knowledge regarding mechanisms of hepatic toxicity renders most of the preclinical review process failing and most of drug-induced hepatic injury remains unpredictable. Current knowledge on the mechanisms of drug-induced liver cell death is reviewed here. The intervention of both intra-and extracellular factors in determining the appearance of drug-induced cell apoptosis or necrosis is also discussed.Finally, the role of both mitochondria and non parenchymal cells are reviewed with respect to approaches useful to manage drug-induced liver injury.