Free radicals Reactive oxygen species

Reactive metabolites include such diverse groups as epoxides, quinones, free radicals, reactive oxygen species, and unstable conjugates. Figure 8.2 gives some examples of activation reactions, the reactive metabolites formed, and the enzymes catalyzing their bioactivation. 

UV radiation can impact zooplankton and fish directly in shallow water habitats by damage to DNA and generation of harmful photochemicals (free radicals, reactive oxygen species) [29,30, Chapter 8]. Although many animals can avoid UV-intense habitats, as well as develop photoprotective pigments (carotenoids, cuticular melanin), both of these strategies can alter their susceptibility to predation by other organisms, particularly fish. 

Chronic inflammatory states associated with infection or xenobiotic chemical exposure from the environment can produce genomic lesions that, in time, can become initiated tumors. It is known that hosts do fight microbial infections by moderate production of various free radicals reactive oxygen species (ROS) [e.g., hydroxyl radical (OH ) and the superoxide radical (OT)] or reactive nitrogen species (RNS) [e.g., nitric oxide (NO ) and the strong oxidant, peroxynitrite (ONOO )]. Within limits inflammatory signaling pathways of the host can control excessive free radical concentrations by means of enzymes such as NADPH oxidase, myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide synthase, and others (Federico et al. 2007 Rakoff-Nahonm 2006). 

Free radicals, reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage... 

Lushchak, V.I., 2014. Free radicals, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress and its classification. Chem. Biol. Interact. 224, 164—175. 

One of the important consequences of neuronal stimulation is increased neuronal aerobic metabolism which produces reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS can oxidize several biomoiecules (carbohydrates, DNA, lipids, and proteins). Thus, even oxygen, which is essential for aerobic life, may be potentially toxic to cells. Addition of one electron to molecular oxygen (O,) generates a free radical [O2)) the superoxide anion. This is converted through activation of an enzyme, superoxide dismurase, to hydrogen peroxide (H-iO,), which is, in turn, the source of the hydroxyl radical (OH). Usually catalase... 

The protective effects of carotenoids against chronic diseases appear to be correlated to their antioxidant capacities. Indeed, oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation are at the basis of oxidative processes occurring in cardiovascular incidents, cancers, and ocular diseases. Carotenoids are then able to scavenge free radicals such as singlet molecular oxygen ( O2) and peroxyl radicals particularly, and protect cellular systems from oxidation. 

At the present time it is difficult to single out any one factor that could be held ultimately responsible for cell death after cerebral ischaemia. Recent studies, however, have provided us with sufficient evidence to conclude that free radical damage is at least one component in a chain of events that leads to cell death in ischaemia/reperfiision injury. As noted earlier in this review, much of the evidence for free radicals in the brain and the sources of free radicals come from studies in animals subjected to cerebral ischaemia. Perhaps the best evidence for a role for free radicals or reactive oxygen species in cerebral ischaemia is derived from studies that demonstrate protective effects of antioxidants. Antioxidants and inhibitors of lipid peroxidation have been shown to have profound protective effects in models of cerebral ischaemia. Details of some of these studies will be mentioned later. Several reviews have been written on the role of oxygen radicals in cerebral ischaemia (Braughler and HaU, 1989 Hall and Btaughler, 1989 Kontos, 1989 Floyd, 1990 Nelson ef /., 1992 Panetta and Clemens, 1993). 

Ranadive, N.S. and Menon, I.A. (1986). Role of reactive oxygen species and free radicals from melanins in photoin-duced cutaneous inflammation. Pathol. Immunopathol. Res. 5, 118-139. 

Jackson, M.J. and Edwards, RH.T. (1988). Free radicals, muscle damage and muscular dystrophy. In Reactive Oxygen Species in Chemistry, Biology and Medicine (ed. A. Quintanilha) pp. 197-210, Plenum, New York. 

Cancer is one of the diseases in which a role has been implicated (see Table 13.1) for free radicals. Comprehensive accounts of the involvement of reactive oxygen species in human diseases may be found in Halliwell and Gutteridge (1989), Aruoma (1993) and in Cheeseman and Slater (1993). 

Lipid peroxidation (see Fig. 17.2) is a chain reaction that can be attacked in many ways. The chain reaction can be inhibited by use of radical scavengers (chain termination). Initiation of the chain reaction can be blocked by either inhibiting synthesis. of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or by use of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), complexes of SOD and catalase. Finally, agents that chelate iron can remove free iron and thus reduce Flaber-Weiss-mediated iron/oxygen injury. 

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