During liver transplantation, the graft is reperfused after a period of cold ischemia. The initial phase of ischemia-reperfusion injury is primarily mediated by the generation of reactive oxygen species by which hepatic cell type?

• A Hepatocytes
• B Hepatic stellate cells
• C Kupffer cells ✓
• D Cholangiocytes

Explanation

Kupffer cells, the resident macrophages of the liver, are the primary source of reactive oxygen species during the initial phase of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Upon reperfusion, these activated macrophages generate oxidative stress that damages hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells. While hepatocytes suffer the ultimate injury, they are not the primary generators of the initial reactive oxygen species burst. Stellate cells and cholangiocytes are not the main drivers of this early reperfusion damage.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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