Drug-induced liver injury: Is it somehow foreseeable?

作者：Tarantino Giovanni^*; Di Minno Matteo Nicola Dario; Capone Domenico

来源：World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2009, 15(23): 2817-2833.

DOI：10.3748/wjg.15.2817

• Drug-induced liver injury
• Cytochrome P-450
• Drug metabolism
• Pharmacogenomics
• Herbal remedies

The classic view on the pathogenesis of drug-induced liver injury is that the so-called parent compounds are made hepatotoxic by metabolism (formation of neosubstances that react abnormally), mainly by cytochromes P-450 (CYP), with further pathways, such as mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis, also playing a role. Risk factors for drug-induced liver injury include concomitant hepatic diseases, age and genetic polymorphisms of CYP. However, some susceptibility can today be predicted before drug administration, working on the common substrate, by phenotyping and genotyping studies and by taking in consideration patients' health status. Physicians should always think of this adverse effect in the absence of other clear hepatic disease. Ethical and legal problems towards operators in the health care system are always matters to consider.

• 出版日期2009-6-21