Oxidative

Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is a phenomenon caused by an imbalance between production and accumulation of oxygen species in cells and tissues and the ability of a biological system to detoxify these reactive products. It is a part of the aging process, but can also be a large contributor to development of diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart failure, myocardial infarction, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, gastritis, HIV/AIDS, sepsis, postoperative complications, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and Autism.

Mechanisms

Oxidative stress is thought to result from an imbalance in the generation of free radicals and the body's ability to neutralize them. It is a harmful process that can seriously alter the cell membranes and other structures such as proteins, lipids, lipoproteins, and DNA.

Role in Disease

Oxidative stress is implicated in many diseases. In these conditions, oxidative stress and inflammation are often linked. This is due to the fact that oxidative stress can lead to chronic inflammation, which in turn, can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and pulmonary diseases.

Prevention and Treatment

The body has several mechanisms to counteract oxidative stress by producing antioxidants, which are either naturally produced in situ, or externally supplied through foods and/or supplements. Antioxidants can be categorized into enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Enzymatic antioxidants include superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, which neutralize the superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, and lipid hydroperoxides, respectively. Non-enzymatic antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, and carotenoids, which can neutralize various forms of free radicals.

See Also

• Reactive oxygen species
• Antioxidant
• Free-radical theory of aging
• Mitochondrial diseases

References

Oxidative Resources
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