Lipid peroxidation neurodegenerative disease role

Lipid peroxidation is one of the major sources of free-radical mediated injury that directly damages membranes and generates a number of secondary products. In particular, markers of lipid peroxidation have been found to be elevated in brain tissues and body fluids in several neurodegenerative diseases, and the role of lipid peroxidation has been extensively discussed in the context of their pathogenesis. Peroxidation of membrane lipids can have numerous effects, including increased membrane rigidity, decreased activity of membrane-bound enzymes (e.g., sodium pumps), altered activity of membrane receptors, and altered permeability [Anzai et al., 1999 Yehuda et al., 2002], In addition to effects on phospholipids, lipid-initiated radicals can also directly attack membrane proteins and induce lipid-lipid, lipid-protein, and protein-protein cross-linking, all of which obviously have effects on membrane function. 

Lipids are readily available throughout the body therefore, lipid peroxidation is a common phenomenon. Currently, there are no absolute diagnostic biomaricers for the early diagnosis of any neurodegenerative disease. As lipid peroxidation can have detrimental effects on proteins, DNA, RNA, and mitochondria, the study of this oxidative modification and its role on neurodegenerative diseases is paramount. This chapter will highlight the role of lipid peroxidation in neurodegenerative disease mechanisms as well as the role of mitochondrial involvement in brain disorders. 

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