Oxidative Stress in Iron-toxicity of Liver

This chapter focuses on the pathophysiology of iron-induced oxidative stress in liver. • Iron plays a pivotal role in erythropoiesis, cell growth, and differentiation. • However, it is a redox active metal that can generate ROS via the Fenton chemistry and exert oxidative stress. Therefore, iron overload is toxic. • Excess-iron induced oxidative stress is the primary driving force for liver deterioration in the iron overload disease hereditary hemochromatosis. • In addition, elevated iron levels accelerate the pathological progression of other conditions, such as ALD, NAFLD, and NASH. • Regardless of the underlying etiology, excess iron crseates an inflammatory environment in the liver and activates the HSCs to cause increased deposition of ECM components, distortion of liver architecture, and paves the pathway for fibrosis and cirrhosis in untreated patients. •The future awaits more effective drugs with dual action; iron-chelating as well as antioxidant properties to decelerate iron-induced hepatic injury