Apoptosis and Cellular Oxidative Stress in Viral Hepatitis

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are important human pathogens. There is an estimated number of 350 million carriers of HBV and 170 million people are chronically infected with HCV worldwide. These are at high risk of developing chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Apoptosis of liver cells may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C. Whereas pathomorphologic features of increased a apoptosis process appears to be a host defense mechanism against viral infections and tumourigenesis.The presence of excess oxygen radicals and/or the lack of sufficient antioxidants to scavenge these radicals can either directly contribute to hepatocyte necrosis or enhance the inflammatory response associated with necrosis. Oxygen radicals appear to cause hepatocyte necrosis by modifying DNA, lipids and proteins in the cells This research study was meant to provide Detailed information on the role of apoptosis and oxidative stress mechanisms in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis, which ultimately leads to hepatocellular carcinoma using biochemical and immunological techniques