The role of Kupffer cell oxidant production in early ethanol-induced liver disease

Considerable evidence for a role of Kupffer cells in alcoholic liver disease has accumulated and they have recently been shown to be a predominant source of free radicals. Several approaches including pharmacological agents, knockout trice. and viral gene transfer have been used to fill critical gaps in understanding key mechanisms by which Kupffer cell activation, oxidant formation and cytokine production lead to liver damage and subsequent pathogenesis. This review highlights new data in support of the hypothesis that Kupffer cell, play a pivotal role in hepatotoxicity due to ethanol by producing oxidants via NADPH oxidise. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc.