Producción de radicales libres derivados del oxígeno y el daño al hepatocito

Free radical is an atom or molecule that contains an unpaired electron at external orbital. Free radicals derived from oxygen are most important. These later are regularly produced in the cell as a result of the metabolic pathways activity. A variety of anti-oxidant defense are in the cell, the most important are the enzymatic defense. The most important anti-oxidant defense are catalase, superoxyde dismutase and glutathione system. It is showed that a xenobiotic administration produces an increase in free radicals production, a decrease in anti-oxidant defense, or both. Free radicals produced by xenobiotic intoxication are related to several pathological manifestation of disease. Some body organs such as brain, kidney and liver are important free radicals producers. The liver is an important source of investigation due to free radicals production is a pathological manifestation of disease.