Progress in investigating the pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome is complicated and remains unknown. This review aims to provide an updated knowledge about the pathogenesis of the syndrome. DATA SOURCES: Five medical databases, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, OVID, Springer Link, and Wiley InterScience were searched for articles on "hepatopulmonary syndrome", "cirrhosis", "angiogenesis", "intestinal endotoxemia", "nitric oxide", "carbon monoxide", and other related subjects. RESULTS: Currently, imbalance between vasodilation and vasoconstriction, intestinal bacterial translocation, intestinal endotoxemia, and activation of the lung monocyte/macrophage system may play important roles in the pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome. Recent studies found that angiogenesis is also an important factor in the pathogenesis of experimental hepatopulmonary syndrome. CONCLUSION: Angiogenesis inhibition may be a potential approach for the treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome in the future.