Research progress on Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway involved in liver disease pathological mechanism / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 ( Nrf2 ) is an important nuclear transcription factor which protects cells a-gainst oxidative stress injury. Upon exposure to reactive oxygen species ( ROS) or electrophilic stress, Nrf2 can translocate into the nucleus, and then bind to the antioxidant response element ( ARE) , regulating the expression of several antioxidant enzymes and phase Ⅱ detoxifying enzymes which aimed at the detoxifica-tion and elimination of harmful exogenous chemicals, resulting in the facilitation of hepatoprotection. Oxidative stress is the com-mon pathogenesis of many liver diseases, while the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway is extremely important in the prevention and progression of many liver diseases. Nrf2 has more recently been implicated as a new therapeutic target in treating liver diseases. Here, we focus on the most common liver diseases and the devel-opment of these conditions where activation of Nrf2 may alleviate disease progression, so as to provide reference for related re-search in the future.