Prakt. lékáren. 2013; 9(3): 135-138

Antioxidants and Degenerative Disease

Lubomír Opletal, Jakub Chlebek, Kateřina Macáková, Nina Benešová, Anna Hošťálková, Lucie Cahlíková

Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Farmaceutická fakulta v Hradci Králové, Katedra farmaceutické botaniky a ekologie

Free radicals (more correctly called reactive oxygen and nitrogen species) along with environmental toxins are the most frequently

cited sources of pathological effects on physiological processes in man and on the development of degenerative diseases (diseases of

civilization). Numerous free radicals commonly occur in the organism because they are part of physiological processes (physical exercise,

food processing, the body‘s immune defence). Their pathological effect is dependent on the number of these radicals and their type

(biological half-time). Administration of antioxidants is problematic to a certain degree: an excessive intake may even have a pro-oxidative

effect, substances may become deposited in tissues, and/or there may be involvement of the CYP isoenzyme systems and the

metabolism of other substances. The search for new compounds has failed to result in major progress; therefore, it is appropriate to use

preferably those substances that are well-known and well-established for protection.

Keywords: reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, antioxidants, degenerative diseases

Published: July 15, 2013  Show citation