Free radicals and oxidative stress

As well as the formation of radicals, oxidative stress may also contribute to the toxicity of electrophilic metabolites. This may result from depletion by electrophiles of the glutathione pool, one of the major defenses against damage by reactive oxygen species. 

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While many biological molecules may be targets for oxidant stress and free radicals, it is clear that the cell membrane and its associated proteins may be particularly vulnerable. The ability of the cell to control its intracellular ionic environment as well as its ability to maintain a polarized membrane potential and electrical excitability depends on the activity of ion-translocating proteins such as channels, pumps and exchangers. Either direct or indirect disturbances of the activity of these ion translocators must ultimately underlie reperfiision and oxidant stress-induced arrhythmias in the heart. A number of studies have therefore investigated the effects of free radicals and oxidant stress on cellular electrophysiology and the activity of key membrane-bound ion translocating proteins. 

Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress in Pathophysiological Processes 31.1 Cardiovascular Diseases... 

Brown, J. M. and Yamamoto, B. K. Effects of amphetamines on mitochondrial function role of free radicals and oxidative stress. Pharmacol. Ther. 99 45-53,2003. 

Singh, R.P., Sharad, S., and Singh, S.K. 2004. Free radicals and oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases Relevance of dietary antioxidants. J. Indian Acad. Clin. Med. 5, 218-225. 

A16. Arnao, M. B., Cano, A., Guerrero, J. R., and Acosta, M., In Winter Meeting 1998 of the Society for Free Radical Research (European Region) Oxygen, Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress in Plants (Euroconference), p. 19. Granada, Spain, (1998). 

Cooper CE, Vollaard NB, Choueiri T, Wilson MT (2002) Exercise, free radicals and oxidative stress. Biochem Soc Trans 30 280-285... 

The initial chapters introduce to the general knowledge necessary to understand flie inflammatory process and the role played of free radical and oxidative stress. The interplay between inflammatory molecules and cell signalling is also dealt with in depth. A second part is dedicated to nitric oxide, redox regulation and antioxidant function in inflammation. The final chapters are devoted to diseases where inflammation plays the dominant role septic shock, end-stage renal disease, neurodegenerative, ischemic and lung diseases. 

On moist skin or mucous membranes, SO2 is converted to sulfurous acid, a direct irritant. This mechanism accounts for its ability to cause inflammation, burning sensation, and tissue damage (described below) in the eyes, throat, nose, and other respiratory tissues experiencing direct contact. Bronchoconstric-tion and other related effects may be mediated by release of leukotrienes, prostaglandins, or other inflammatory factors. How SO2 causes any of the other systemic and clastogenic effects reported below is unclear. Some evidence suggests that free radicals and oxidative stress may play a role, and that metabolites of SO2 (sulfites) may be responsible for clastogenicity. 

T. E. Andreoli Free radicals and oxidative stress. American Journal of Medicine 108,650 (2000). 

McCord JM (2000) The evolution of free radicals and oxidative stress. Am J Med 108 652-659... 

Davies, K. J. A. In Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress Environment, Food and Drug Additives Rice-Evans, C., Halliwell, B., and Lunt, G. G., Eds. Portland Press London, 1994, 61, 1. 

P. Wardman, M.F. Dennis, S.A. Everett, K.B. Patel, M.R.L. Stratford and M. Tracy, Radicals from one-electron reduction of nitro compounds, aromatic Af-oxides, and quinones the kinetic basis for hypoxia-selective, bioreductive drags, in Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress Environment, Drags and Food Additives (Biochemical Society Symposium No. 61), C. Rice-Evans, B. Halliwell and G.G. Lunt (eds.), Portland Press, London, 1995, p. 171. 

Niess, A.M., Dickhuth, H.H., Northoff, H., and Fehrenbach, E., Free radicals and oxidative stress in exercise — immunological aspects, Exerc Immunol Rev, 1999 5 22-56. 

Tripathi, Y.B., and A.K. Upadhyay. 2002. Effect of the alcohol extract of the seeds of Mucuna pruriens on free radicals and oxidative stress in albino rats. Phytother. Res. 16(6) 534-538. 

Rice-Evans CA, Halliwell B, Lunt GG (1995) Free radicals and oxidative stress taiviron-ment, drugs and food additives. Portland Press, London... 

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