Oxidant-antioxidant balance

B7. Benzie, I. F., Chung, W., and Tomlinson, B., Simultaneous measurement of allantoin and urate in plasma Analytical evaluation and potential clinical application in oxidant antioxidant balance studies. Clin. Chem. 45, 901—904 (1999). 

I., Magnesium status and parameters of the oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with chronic fatigue Effects of supplementation with magnesium. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 19, 374-382 (2000). 

Oxidative stress has been defined as a disturbance in the pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance in favor of the pro-oxidant state resulting from alterations in the redox state of the cell. The stepwise reduction of oxygen into superoxide anion. 

Oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species has been called oxidative stress . Biological systems contain powerful enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms, and oxidative stress denotes a shift in the pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance in favor of the former (1). Reactive oxygen species are important mediators of several forms of cell damage in parasites and this discussion will focus on the defense mechanisms of parasites against these species. 

J.R. (1990) Role of nerve growth factor in oxidant-antioxidant balance and neuronal injury. I. Stimulation of hydrogen peroxide resistance. J. Neurosci. Res. 25 360-368. 

The efficiency of the natnral defense system weakens as the organism ages. The aging process is explained by an increased activity of radical reactions and a disturbed oxidant-antioxidant balance in the organism. 

McCord JM. Human disease, free radicals and the oxidant/antioxidant balance. Clin Biochem 1993 26 351-357. 

Bonnefont-Rousselot D, Bastard JP, Jaudon MC, Delattre J (2000) Consequences of the diabetic status on the oxidant/antioxidant balance. Diabetes Metab 26,163—76. 

Lang, J.D., McArdle, RJ., O Reilly, P.J., and Matalon, S. 2002. Oxidant-antioxidant balance in acute lung injury. 122, 314S-320S. 

Figure 13.1. Oxidant - antioxidant balance. O, reactive oxygen species AA, arachidonic acid SOD, superoxide dismutase Me, metals Se, selenium.

Oxidant, or oxidative, stress is a pro-oxidant shift in the oxidant-antioxidant balance caused by a relative or absolute deficiency of antioxidants (Figure 1). A pro-oxidant shift promotes damaging oxidative changes to important cellular constituents, and this may, in turn, lead to cellular dysfunction and, ultimately, to aging, disability, and disease. 

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