Inhibiting heme oxygenase-1 attenuates rat liver fibrosis by removing iron accumulation

Figure 7 Iron is involved in the heme oxygenase-1 cycle via the nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2/Keap1 pathway, and heme oxygenase-1 regulates portal pressure in liver cirrhosis. Low hepcidin and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) over-expression could mediate iron accumulation, which accelerates oxidative stress, leading to cell injury, and it also increases HO-1 expression through the nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Keap1 pathway. Nrf2 protects cells against oxidative stress, but this effect is limited, and Nrf2 contributes to induction of HO-1 expression, which can produce iron. HO-1 can increase carbon monoxide (CO) production, and an unbalanced CO/nitric oxide system could play a role in portal pressure. ROS: Reactive oxygen species. ARE: Antioxidant response element.