Acetaldehyde-mediated collagen regulation in hepatic stellate cells.

Alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis is one of the major causes of death worldwide. Strong evidence has established that ethanol's first metabolite, acetaldehyde, is highly fibrogenic and enhances the deposition of many extracellular matrix components by hepatic stellate cells. This article reviews our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms whereby acetaldehyde induces these activities, with particular emphasis on those related to the upregulation of type I collagen.