Oxidative Stress Effects

Oxidative stress describes a state of physiological stress in the body that arises from exposure to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) relative to the level of neutralizing antioxidants.

Free radicals can interact with molecules in the body and damage various cell components such as DNA, protein and lipids, giving rise to various disease states.

Reduction or redox potential refers to a substance's ability to gain or lose an electron. A strong reducing agent for a example will have a high-electron transfer potential. When the presence of free radicals causes only a small change in the redox potential of a cell, the cell's antioxidant system is stimulated and protects the body from the damage caused by free radicals. In more severe cases, however, a cell can become necrotic and die.

Much of the damage caused by oxidative stress arises from its modification of the DNA inside a cell's nucleus which gives rise to mutations.

Examples of the conditions caused by free radical damage include:

  • Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease
  • Mutagenesis and cancer
  • Heart and blood vessel disorders such as heart failure, heart attacks, atherosclerosis and cardiac ischemia
  • Lung conditions such as emphysema and lung cancer
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Cataracts and vision disorders such as retrolental fibroplasia
  • Arthritis and inflammatory disease
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Gut disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease
  • Skin lesions such as those caused by sun damage
  • Lipoprotein oxidation in newborns
  • Failure of organ transplant
  • Frostbite
  • Hemolytic anemia, protoporphyrin, photooxidation
  • Autoimmune diseases

Further Reading

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2023

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Mandal, Ananya. (2023, June 19). Oxidative Stress Effects. News-Medical. Retrieved on October 31, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Oxidative-Stress-Effects.aspx.

  • MLA

    Mandal, Ananya. "Oxidative Stress Effects". News-Medical. 31 October 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Oxidative-Stress-Effects.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Mandal, Ananya. "Oxidative Stress Effects". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Oxidative-Stress-Effects.aspx. (accessed October 31, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Mandal, Ananya. 2023. Oxidative Stress Effects. News-Medical, viewed 31 October 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Oxidative-Stress-Effects.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Curcumin shows promise in preventing and treating oral submucosal fibrosis