Collagen in liver fibrosis induced by ethanol

Liver fibrosis is accompanied by significant increase of collagen content in this organ. Chronic intoxication with ethanol is probably the most popular cause of liver fibrosis. Some experimental and clinical data suggest that acetaldehyde (an intermediary product of ethanol oxidation) is responsible for stimulation of collagen biosynthesis in the liver. It increases collagen gene transcription in fibroblasts. About 90% of exogenous ethanol is oxidized in liver providing an enhanced amount of acetaldehyde which triggers the fibrotic response.