[Free radicals in chronic pathology of the liver]

The review deals with the role of free radicals (FR) in chronic liver pathology. Oxygen FR, on the one hand, have the protective function connected with the activation of phagocytes, on the other hand, they exert a toxic effect damaging the cell. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) plays an important role in the cytotoxic effect of FR. The disturbance of the balance between oxidative reactions and protective mechanisms is likely to be the starting point in the development of "FR-pathology". The proves of the FR participation in the hepatobiliary pathology are given. A high level of LPO and the decrease of the antioxidative enzymes activity in chronic liver diseases are shown indicating the initiation of the lipid autooxidation reaction. The activation of LPO is most demonstrative in the active alcoholic process.