Progress in investigating the pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome
Zhang, Z-Jie.; Yang, C-Qing.
Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases International Hbpd Int 9(4): 355-360
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1499-3872 PMID: 20688597 Document Number: 645194
The pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome is complicated and remains unknown. This review aims to provide an updated knowledge about the pathogenesis of the syndrome. Five medical databases, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, OVID, Springer Link, and Wiley InterScience were searched for articles on "hepatopulmonary syndrome", "cirrhosis", "angiogenesis", "intestinal endotoxemia", "nitric oxide", "carbon monoxide", and other related subjects. Currently, imbalance between vasodilation and vasoconstriction, intestinal bacterial translocation, intestinal endotoxemia, and activation of the lung monocyte/macrophage system may play important roles in the pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome. Recent studies found that angiogenesis is also an important factor in the pathogenesis of experimental hepatopulmonary syndrome. Angiogenesis inhibition may be a potential approach for the treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome in the future.