The following are the main consequences that oxidative stress can contribute to.
Free radicals oxidative stress damage
- Proteins oxidation of proteins
- Fatty acids; lipids from which cell membranes and other organelles such as mitochondria (power plants of cells) and lysosomes are built Lipid peroxidation.
- Carbohydrates
- Collagen
- Elastin
- Mucopolysaccharides
Furthermore, the free radicals also react with the cell nucleus and the genetic information (DNA). The result of this oxidative DNA damage are, for example, point mutations that are changes in the genetic information and enzyme disorders that lead to significant disruption of cellular functions and thus metabolic processes. ROS-related mutations also increase with age. This particularly affects the mitochondria.
Free radical oxidative stress increases the risk of numerous diseases
- Atherosclerosis
- Cancer
- Rheumatic diseases
- Coronary heart disease
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack), apoplexy (stroke).
- Inflammation as well as disorders of the immune system
- Cataract (cataract)
- Diabetes mellitus sequelae such as diabetic polyneuropathy, diabetic nephropathy.
- Neurodegenerative diseases Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease.
- Periodontitis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Aging processes
However, free radicals are not only harmful metabolic products. They also have their good sides: For example, they serve the immune defense, because granulocytes (white blood cells) and macrophages (phagocytes) take advantage of the action of free radicals by destroying bacteria with their help. Free radicals probably play another important role in apoptosis, programmed cell death, which is important for the body’s suppression of cancer.
