Figure 3.

Molecular mechanism of alcohol-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver and can be converted into acetaldehyde. As a toxic substance, the acetaldehyde induces hepatocyte apoptosis. Alcohol breakdown by cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) also generates highly reactive molecules known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly after chronic alcohol consumption. ROS can be eliminated by antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH). When cell's antioxidants are depleted and ROS accumulation reaches a critical threshold, mitochondrial damage occurs. This process leads to the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria, which then activates caspases apoptotic pathway