Antioxidants in Longevity and Medicine 2014.

Abstract

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generated from the enzymatic and nonenzymatic sources from superoxide (O2∙−) and nitric oxide (NO), respectively, are established to cause oxidative, nitroxidative, nitrative, and nitrosative stresses in the biological systems. Scientific evidence is mounting in favor of the involvement of ROS-induced oxidative stress and RNS stress in diverse pathophysiological states in experimental animal models and humans including the cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal diseases to name a few. Among many proposed and tested theories of aging, the oxidative stress theory of aging underscores the ROS-induced damage as being instrumental in the progressive and unalterable alterations at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels during aging and shortening of life span. The balance between the ROS/RNS and antioxidants is highly critical to maintain the cellular health and any alteration in that balance caused by either the elevation of production of ROS/RNS or decrease of antioxidant status in the cells will lead to diverse pathophysiological states. Antioxidants (enzymatic and nonenzymatic), either endogenous or exogenous, are known to counteract the deleterious actions of ROS/RNS leading to protection against the oxidative stress and RNS stress. Therefore, this special issue focuses on the possibilities of protection against the ROS-induced oxidative stress and RNS stress which could potentially impact aging, life span, and diseases among humans. Several experts in the fields of ROS and RNS biology have contributed original research and review articles highlighting the state-of-the-art cellular and molecular mechanisms and protection of pathophysiology of oxidative stress and RNS stress in diseases, aging, and age-associated pathophysiological states.