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Environmental Hepatotoxicity: A Continuous Pathological Progression Model, Mechanisms, and Stage-Oriented
Qin Wen1, Xingmei Yin1, Chenyang Liu1
1Department of Graduate Studies, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT
|July 17, 2026
Summary
Environmental pollutants contribute to chronic liver disease through a dynamic continuum of pathological progression. Understanding these stages and individual variability is key for developing targeted interventions against environmental hepatotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Hepatology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Environmental pollutants are linked to chronic liver disease, but their exact contribution and progression pathways are unclear.
- Existing research often focuses on single toxicants, missing the transition from adaptive responses to chronic pathology.
- A comprehensive framework is needed to understand the multilevel mechanisms of environmental hepatotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current evidence and construct a conceptual framework for the continuous pathological progression of environmental liver disease.
- To define environmental hepatotoxicity as a dynamic continuum with distinct stages.
- To propose a stage-oriented intervention paradigm for managing chronic liver disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of multilevel mechanisms.
- Development of a conceptual framework for pathological progression.
- Integration of exposomics and mechanistic research.
Main Results:
- Environmental hepatotoxicity is conceptualized as a dynamic continuum from adaptive imbalance to chronic pathological advancement.
- Specific environmental exposures have dominant effects at different stages based on molecular profiles.
- Individual heterogeneity influences disease progression by altering stress tolerance and homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- A stage-oriented intervention paradigm is proposed, shifting focus from adaptive capacity to injury arrest and homeostasis reconstruction.
- The framework supports integrating exposomics with mechanistic research for environmental liver disease.
- Clinical translation requires quantifying low-dose exposure thresholds, identifying key factors in combined exposures, and developing stage-specific biomarkers.
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