Ion Channels and Oxidative Stress as a Potential Link for the Diagnosis or Treatment of Liver Diseases

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016:2016:3928714. doi: 10.1155/2016/3928714. Epub 2016 Jan 5.

Abstract

Oxidative stress results from a disturbed balance between oxidation and antioxidant systems. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) may be either harmful or beneficial to the cells. Ion channels are transmembrane proteins that participate in a large variety of cellular functions and have been implicated in the development of a variety of diseases. A significant amount of the available drugs in the market targets ion channels. These proteins have sulfhydryl groups of cysteine and methionine residues in their structure that can be targeted by ROS and RNS altering channel function including gating and conducting properties, as well as the corresponding signaling pathways associated. The regulation of ion channels by ROS has been suggested to be associated with some pathological conditions including liver diseases. This review focuses on understanding the role and the potential association of ion channels and oxidative stress in liver diseases including fibrosis, alcoholic liver disease, and cancer. The potential association between ion channels and oxidative stress conditions could be used to develop new treatments for major liver diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism / complications
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Chloride Channels / metabolism
  • Ethanol / adverse effects
  • Hepatitis C / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ion Channels / metabolism*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism*
  • Liver Diseases / metabolism*
  • Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / metabolism*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Reactive Nitrogen Species / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Receptors, Purinergic / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • TRPM Cation Channels / metabolism
  • TRPV Cation Channels / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Chloride Channels
  • Ion Channels
  • Reactive Nitrogen Species
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Receptors, Purinergic
  • TRPM Cation Channels
  • TRPV Cation Channels
  • TRPV4 protein, human
  • Ethanol
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • TRPM7 protein, human