Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: İlhami Gülçin 1,2 Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable species-atoms, molecules, or ions-that contain one or more unpaired electrons, enabling them to readily interact with and damage surrounding molecules.In biological systems, they are primarily generated through normal metabolic processes, such as mitochondrial respiration, or from external sources including pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, and certain drugs.Endogenously, free radicals are produced as a normal byproduct of mitochondrial metabolism and arise from various biological processes such as xanthine oxidase activity, peroxisomal reactions, inflammatory responses, phagocytosis, arachidonic acid metabolism, ischemic events, and physical activity.While low to moderate levels of free radicals play essential roles in cell signaling and immune defense, excessive accumulation leads to oxidative stress-a condition that damages vital biomolecules including proteins, DNA, RNA, lipids, and sugars.A clear example of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced damage is the oxidation of nucleosides within DNA, illustrating how these reactive species can disrupt molecular structure and function.Such damage is implicated in the development of various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.The living metabolism employs antioxidant defense systems, encompassing both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, to neutralize free radicals and maintain redox balance.
Source: Balkan Medical Journal
Author: İlhami Gülçin
Institutions: Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University, Atatürk University
Language: English
Subfield: Biochemistry
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4413283836