Ferroptosis in hepatic ischemia‑reperfusion injury: Regulatory mechanisms and new methods for therapy (Review)

Mol Med Rep. 2021 Mar;23(3):225. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2021.11864. Epub 2021 Jan 26.

Abstract

Ischemia‑reperfusion injury (IRI), also called reoxygenation injury, is the outcome of inflammatory processes and oxidative damage through the induction of oxidative stress. In the clinical setting, IRI contributes to severe hepatic injury, including liver cell death by apoptosis and ferroptosis. Ferroptosis is a novel type of cell death in hepatic IRI that involves small molecules that inhibit glutathione biosynthesis or glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which is a glutathione‑dependent antioxidant enzyme, causing mitochondrial damage. Currently, ferroptosis has been systematically described in neurological settings, kidney diseases and different types of cancer, while few studies have analysed the presence of ferroptosis and the regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis in hepatic IRI. Exploring the exact role played by ferroptosis in the liver following hepatic IRI in accordance with existing evidence and mechanisms could guide potential therapeutic interventions and provide a novel research avenue.

Keywords: ferroptosis; hepatic IRI; ROS; lipid peroxidation; iron.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ferroptosis*
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases* / metabolism
  • Liver Diseases* / pathology
  • Liver Diseases* / therapy
  • Liver* / metabolism
  • Liver* / pathology
  • Reperfusion Injury* / metabolism
  • Reperfusion Injury* / pathology
  • Reperfusion Injury* / therapy