Mitochondria and free radical studies on health, disease and pollution

摘要

Recent developments in free radical research have shown that many neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as well as other conditions such as aging, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, prematurity in babies and cancer, result from, or are associated with, oxidative stress. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from electron transport chains may result in oxidative stress in cells, leading to apoptotic cell death. Majima et al. reported the first evidence of a relationship between ROS generated from mitochondria and apoptosis [1]. In addition, an increase in intracellular ROS generation was reported in mitochon-drial DNA (mtDNA)-damaged cells [2]. This special issue of Free Radical Research focuses on the fusion of, and innovation occurring in, the fields of "Free Radical Research" and "Mitochondrial Research", and includes five original and seven review papers that present new insights into mitochondria and free radical research.