Antioxidants System in The Human Body

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Introduction
Oxidative stress is essentially defined as the imbalance in the equilibrium of antioxidants systems in the human body. Oxidative damage in aerobic organisms can be caused by certain molecules known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). These reactive species are ones that cause oxidative damage in biomolecules. In order to maintain equilibrium of these substances, the human body has various endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 proteins which have evolved to defend against any harmful effects of ROS or any other reactive species. In normal physiological conditions, a balance is maintained between the ROS production and their detoxification by the appropriate antioxidants and phases 2 proteins. (Uttara, Singh, Zamboni & Mahajan, 2009). Oxidative stress can occur due too many pathological conditions, when the balance of prooxidants and antioxidants is disturbed oxidative damage could accumulate in proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. In severe cases these events can lead to cell death. The process can directly alter the antioxidant systems by either inducing or inhibiting the proteins which take part in these systems. Moreover it can also cause the depletion of storage of antioxidants such as glutathione, vitamin E and many more in cells. (Thomas 2006). Antioxidants are defined as any substance which has the ability to inhibit, reduce or repair the damage as a result of an ROS in a biomolecule. The general three mechanisms that are used by antioxidants include the inhibition of ROS generation, the repair of damage induced by ROS and scavenging for ROS molecules. Since ROS plays a precarious role in both physiology and pathophysiology in the human body, it is vital that the endogenous antioxidants and phase prote...

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