APOPTOSIS AND NECROSIS - 2 TYPES OF CELL-DEATH IN ALCOHOLIC LIVER-DISEASE

Heavy alcohol consumption over long periods of time can result in seve re liver damage, including death of liver cells (i.e., hepatocytes). T wo mechanisms-apoptosis and necrosis-can contribute to hepatocyte deat h. In apoptosis, the affected cell actively participates in the cell d eath process, whereas in necrosis the cell death occurs in response to adverse conditions in the cell's environment. Numerous factors that m ay contribute to the initiation of hepatocyte apoptosis are affected b y alcohol consumption. These factors include the enzyme cytochrome P45 0 2E1 (i.e, CYP2E1), small molecules (i.e, cytokines) involved in cell communication, oxidative stress, and changes in iron metabolism. Simi larly, alcohol consumption can influence several factors believed to b e involved in hepatocyte necrosis, including depletion of the energy-s toring molecule adenosine-triphosphate, reduced oxygen levels (i.e, hy poxia) in the liver, oxidative stress, and bacterial molecules called endotoxins.