[Role of free radicals, oxidative stress and antioxidant systems in liver diseases].

Recent experimental findings suggest that free radicals and oxidative stress play an important role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic and toxic liver diseases and viral hepatitis. The presented review summarizes knowledge on the pathomechanism of free radical reactions in liver diseases and the results of experimental observations of antioxidant systems and adjuvant antioxidant pharmacotherapy. Some of the hepatoprotective drugs have antioxidant activity and can produce such beneficial effects as membrane stabilisation, neutralization of free radicals and immunomodulation. Some liver diseases can be successfully prevented or treated by supplementation with antioxidant active substances of even plant origin.