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Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro
Published on: January 31, 2022
Drug Hepatotoxicity: Environmental Factors
Jonathan G Stine1, Naga P Chalasani2
1Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, 1215 Lee Street, PO Box 800708, MSB 2145, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
Drug-induced liver injury varies globally and can be influenced by factors like alcohol consumption. Further research into environmental risk factors is crucial for understanding and preventing liver damage from medications.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) manifests as diverse acute and chronic liver diseases.
- Geographic variations exist in the prevalence of agents causing DILI.
- Factors like smoking, alcohol, infection, and inflammation influence DILI risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of DILI.
- To highlight the role of environmental and host factors in DILI.
- To identify areas for future research in DILI.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of DILI.
- Analysis of environmental factors influencing hepatotoxicity.
- Discussion of emerging concepts in DILI pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for acetaminophen and antituberculosis drug hepatotoxicity.
- Smoking's induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes does not consistently lead to clinically relevant DILI.
- Evolving understanding of infection, inflammation, coagulation, and the hepatic clock in DILI.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors, particularly alcohol, play a critical role in DILI.
- Further investigation into environmental risk factors for DILI is warranted.
- A comprehensive understanding of DILI requires considering multiple host and environmental interactions.
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Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...

