Abstract

CORRALES, Lucía Constanza  and  MUNOZ ARIZA, Maira María. Oxidative Stress: origin, evolution and consequences of oxygen toxicity. Nova [online]. 2012, vol.10, n.18, pp.213-225. ISSN 1794-2470.

Oxygen is an element with dual physiological effect is essential for the development of aerobic life and at the same time can participate in potentially toxic reactions involving oxygen free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage at cellular level due an imbalance between free radical production and antioxidant defenses, generating oxidative stress. This mechanism seems to contribute to several pathological conditions including degenerative processes, aging, diseases and syndromes. Understanding the origin of oxidative stress mechanisms at cellular level, and strategies to reduce it through the cell antioxidant defense system is the focus point of numerous studies. In the same way extensive research has been conducted to find a way to control free radicals production generated continuously through some cellular processes in the body such as oxidative metabolism of the mitochondria and the molecular process required to generate ATP.

Keywords : oxidative stress; free radicals; reactive oxygen species; antioxidants.

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