Role of reactive oxygen species in mediating hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and its therapeutic applications in liver transplantation

Increasing evidence has shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury(IRI). ROS include hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion (O-2), and hydroxyl radical (HO-), which may be generated by activated Kupffer cells in the liver, contributing to reperfusion injury. Hepatic IRI is a multistep process that damages liver graft function. To establish a series of therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome of liver transplantation, a good understanding of the mechanisms of IRI is essential. However, the detail mechanisms of how ROS lead to hepatocyte damage in IRI remains unclear. The aim of this review was to describe recent developments in the field of oxidative stress research. The first part of this review focused on the key roles and possible mechanisms of ROS in hepatic IRI. The second part of this review summarizes some findings including novel and classic antioxidant methods to ameliorate the hepatocyte damage during IRI.