Membrane bound phospholipid, attack

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. 

Hydroxyl radicals damage the mitochondrial (chromoplastic), microsomal (peroxysomal) and endoplasmic reticulum membranes. The damage associated with many degenerative processes (diseases) includes certain forms of cancer and occurs even during the normal aging of organisms. Hydroxyl radicals operate mainly at the place of formation, where they attack unsaturated fatty acid (RH) bound in the membrane phospholipids. Unsaturated fatty... 

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