Oxygen Free Radicals and Cell Signaling

摘要

During oxidative stress, cells are exposed to elevated levels of oxygen free radicals, which can form a threat to normal function, or even to survival [1]. Free radicals are molecules with one or more unpaired electrons [2] that can react with non-radicals. This results in the formation of new radicals, thereby initiating a cascade of chain reactions [3]. In cells, free radicals react with a variety of organic compounds and may therefore cause damage to DNA, lipids and proteins. Furthermore, oxygen free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer and some inflammatory disorders as well as in aging [4-10].