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Review
. 2018 Jul;63(1):18-25.
doi: 10.3164/jcbn.17-139. Epub 2018 May 3.

Role of NRF2 in protection of the gastrointestinal tract against oxidative stress

Akinori Yanaka  1
Affiliations
Review

Role of NRF2 in protection of the gastrointestinal tract against oxidative stress

Akinori Yanaka. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2018 Jul.

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract is exposed to a variety of noxious factors, such as Helicobacter pylori, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gastric acid, ischemia-reperfusion, and mental stresses. Theses stressors generate free radicals within gastrointestinal tissues, causing organ injury and functional disturbance. Although the gastrointestinal tract can withstand such oxidative stresses to some extent by enhancing its antioxidant system via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-Kelch-like erythroid cell-derived protein with CNC homology-associated protein 1-mediated pathways, acute or chronic exposure to oxidative stress can cause several gastrointestinal tract disorders, such as inflammation, ulcers, cancers, and various functional disturbances. Recent studies have demonstrated that some natural compounds and drugs can upregulate the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-mediated antioxidant system, ameliorating or preventing these disorders. Although these compounds may be useful as chemopreventive agents, sufficient evidence for their clinical efficacy has not yet been provided. In addition, it is important to note that excessive nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 stimulation can be harmful to human health, especially from the standpoint of tumor biology.

Keywords: Kelch-like erythroid cell-derived protein with CNC homology-associated protein 1; antioxidant systems; gastrointestinal tract; nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; oxidative stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author is an endowed chair, supported by Hitachi Co. Ltd. The author received financial support from Murakami Farm, Co. Ltd, Japan.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mechanisms by which NRF2 affords cytoprotection against oxidative stress.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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