A Review of Oxidative Stress
A Review of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants Oxidants such as super oxide, a free radical form of oxygen gas, hydrogen peroxide, and free radical hydroxide are molecules that can commence chain reactions in a cell and cause damage along the way. A free radical is any molecule with an unpaired electron that has only one electron left in a binding site. These radicals are formed by homolysis of a covalent bond (Solomon 431). When an oxidant is unchecked in a cell it can alter many different types of molecules such as DNA and other nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. These molecules are changed so that they contain the free radical and are permanently damaged. These damages can lead to many different types of complications in the body, all culminating in aging. Cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and even cataracts can be caused by oxidation due to do free radicals. Antioxidants, by their name, have the ability to neutralize the damaging oxidants that are in the body. There are many antioxidants, some of which are well known like Vitamin C and E, and other that are not like polyphenols. There is significant research being done with antioxidants, testing their ability to reduce the symptoms o
However, our habits as a society tend to cause increased oxidant concentration in our bodies and decreased concentrations of antioxidants. Lasheras C, et al (2002) Independent and Interactive Association of Blood Antioxidants and Oxidative Damage in Elderly People. Spiteller G, (2001) Lipid Peroxidation in aging and age-dependent diseases. Research done on the antioxidants of carotenoids, tocopherols, and lycopene show that when they are exposed to tissues by themselves, they offer about an average 57% decrease in oxidative damage. The average human should eat at least two fruits per day along with three servings of vegetables (Ames 7919). For instance, red cabbage, aster, and sebum were three vegetables out of 20 examined that produced the highest antioxidant action. However, these mechanisms to repair damage done to molecules and to rid the body of these harmful chemicals all together tend to lose their efficiency as the individual gets older. Oxidative Damage to MoleculesOxidants can react with several key molecule types in the cell. Tests have been done by Berger et al that show Vitamin C has the potential to be prooxidant in vitro when exposed to high concentrations of iron. Conclusion Overall, the oxidative stress in the body is a widely researched topic in biochemistry and has only recently been credited with its relation to many diseases and aging. Blueberries are very high in polyphenols, which have been recently found to be quite efficient in only low concentrations. In research done by Spiteller, there are several diagrams showing the process of lipid peroxidation, initiated not by super oxide, but by alterations in the phospholipid bilayer (Spiteller 1425). Most antioxidants do not cause damage on their own or are of any known danger in high concentrations. These molecules act to stop oxidants by reducing the super oxide or whatever the oxidant is.
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