Hepatitis and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Idiosyncratic liver toxicity of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: molecular mechanisms and pathology

This review explores the clinical hepatic pathology associated with the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of injury, and future challenges. NSAIDs comprise a group of widely used compounds that have been associated with rare adverse reactions in the liver, including fulminant hepatitis and cholestasis. These reactions are idiosyncratic, mostly independent of the dose administered, and host-dependent. The mechanisms responsible for the initiation and perpetuation of NSAID-induced hepatotoxicity remain poorly understood and have been largely inferred from clinical manifestation. A mounting body of evidence, however, indicates that many acidic NSAIDs are metabolized to reactive acyl glucuronides that can form covalent adducts with plasma proteins and hepatocellular proteins. In hepatocytes cocultured with lymphocytes, these NSAID-altered proteins can become antigenic. Thus, long-lived, drug-altered proteins may act as immunogens and produce cytotoxic T-cell-mediated or antibody-dependent, cell-mediated toxicity in susceptible patients. Alternatively, individual abnormalities in metabolism or disposition of some NSAIDs may lead to the formation or accumulation of toxic metabolites. Additional work with transgenic animal models is needed to permit better understanding of the general and specific risk factors involved in the pathogenesis of the idiosyncratic liver injuries related to NSAIDs and other drugs.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug toxicity: increased risk in the elderly

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in the therapy of rheumatic diseases, especially in older patients. The toxicity profile of NSAIDs includes gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, renal dysfunction and hepatic disease. Altered drug pharmacology in older patients may be a factor in their increased risk for drug toxicity. Elderly patients appear to be at greatest risk for symptomatic GI toxicity, including ulceration and even major GI bleeding. Central nervous system toxicity, characterized by dizziness, headaches, mood alteration and confusion, and renal dysfunction have also been reported to occur more commonly among elderly patients. Hepatic dysfunction is a rare NSAID-induced toxicity, but older patients are often at greatest risk for serious hepatic disease. Understanding the patient's underlying physiologic condition, concomitant drug therapy and the kinetics of the NSAID being used is critical to the safe administration of these agents to elderly individuals.