Oxidative Stress and Diseases
Preface
The increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living organisms over 60 years ago was implicated in the development of diseases and aging (Harman, 1956; 1983). This book is a collective scientific monograph presenting several important aspects related to ROS role in human and animal pathologies. In 1985, German scientist Helmut Sies first denoted oxidative stress concept, which immediately attracted attention of researchers in diverse basic fields. Several discoveries substantially stimulated the interest to ROS as ones related to many diseases. They were descriptions of catalytic function of superoxide dismutase (erythrocuprein or hemocuprein) by McCord and Fridovich (1969) and role of superoxide anion in host defense against pathogens (Babior et al., 1973; McCord, 1974). The knowledge on ROS roles in diverse biological processes in living organisms was summarized in an excellent book by Halliwell and Gutteridge (1999). An obvious question arises during the accumulation of data on the ROS involvement in diseases: is oxidative stress their reason or consequence? In most cases, we cannot directly answer the question, but it is absolutely clear that reactive species accompany many pathologies. And even more – in some cases antioxidants were able to attenuate the symptoms, but in most cases the expectations on antioxidants as a panacea for many diseases was not confirmed what finally led to understanding that suppression of free radical processes also may have negative consequences for the organisms. In 1980, Arthur Hailey described the miracle drug saving many lives in a novel “Strong Medicine”. That was a rather efficient antioxidant, but side effects were related to suppression of immune system and weakening defense against infections, the effects well known now. More and more recent data reflect the situation that ROS are involved in many living processes, and organisms delicately control their levels. The question on low specificity of ROS effects has also been clarified to some extent. Really, being chemically highly reactive, the processes with ROS participation are determined first of all by their species and forms, temporary-spatial generation and elimination, presence of available sensors and targets. So we are really dealing with a complicated net that is an integral part of living organisms and is usually under strict control, but if not properly controlled may result in injuries of diverse nature. Our understanding of ROS role in biological systems has evolved from recognizing of them as clearly damaging side-products of cellular metabolism changing normal physiological processes, through appreciation of their roles as critically important elements of host defense against pathogens, to recognition of their role as regulators of many physiological processes.
On December 16, 2011, a Google Scholar search for “oxidative stress” and “disease” yielded about 1,430,000 publication hits, whereas in Scopus and Pubmed databases it yielded 135,381 and 94,195 hits, respectively. Enormous interest to the ROS roles has been indirectly confirmed by the project by InTech Publisher, with the book on oxidative stress. We initially planned to publish one book, but when the project was started, more than 90 propositions were received. Therefore, recognizing the popularity of the field and interest of many scientists to share their knowledge with a broad auditory, we decided to divide the propositions and publish three books.
The development of hypothesis of oxidative stress in the 1980s stimulated the interest of biological and biomedical sciences that extends to this day. The contributions in this book provide the reader with the knowledge accumulated to date on the involvement of reactive oxygen species in different pathologies in humans and animals. This book should appeal to many researchers, who should find its information useful for advancing their fields.
InTeO -- 2012 -- ISBN: 9535105527 9789535105527 -- 624 pages -- PDF -- 17 MB
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Preface
The increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living organisms over 60 years ago was implicated in the development of diseases and aging (Harman, 1956; 1983). This book is a collective scientific monograph presenting several important aspects related to ROS role in human and animal pathologies. In 1985, German scientist Helmut Sies first denoted oxidative stress concept, which immediately attracted attention of researchers in diverse basic fields. Several discoveries substantially stimulated the interest to ROS as ones related to many diseases. They were descriptions of catalytic function of superoxide dismutase (erythrocuprein or hemocuprein) by McCord and Fridovich (1969) and role of superoxide anion in host defense against pathogens (Babior et al., 1973; McCord, 1974). The knowledge on ROS roles in diverse biological processes in living organisms was summarized in an excellent book by Halliwell and Gutteridge (1999). An obvious question arises during the accumulation of data on the ROS involvement in diseases: is oxidative stress their reason or consequence? In most cases, we cannot directly answer the question, but it is absolutely clear that reactive species accompany many pathologies. And even more – in some cases antioxidants were able to attenuate the symptoms, but in most cases the expectations on antioxidants as a panacea for many diseases was not confirmed what finally led to understanding that suppression of free radical processes also may have negative consequences for the organisms. In 1980, Arthur Hailey described the miracle drug saving many lives in a novel “Strong Medicine”. That was a rather efficient antioxidant, but side effects were related to suppression of immune system and weakening defense against infections, the effects well known now. More and more recent data reflect the situation that ROS are involved in many living processes, and organisms delicately control their levels. The question on low specificity of ROS effects has also been clarified to some extent. Really, being chemically highly reactive, the processes with ROS participation are determined first of all by their species and forms, temporary-spatial generation and elimination, presence of available sensors and targets. So we are really dealing with a complicated net that is an integral part of living organisms and is usually under strict control, but if not properly controlled may result in injuries of diverse nature. Our understanding of ROS role in biological systems has evolved from recognizing of them as clearly damaging side-products of cellular metabolism changing normal physiological processes, through appreciation of their roles as critically important elements of host defense against pathogens, to recognition of their role as regulators of many physiological processes.
On December 16, 2011, a Google Scholar search for “oxidative stress” and “disease” yielded about 1,430,000 publication hits, whereas in Scopus and Pubmed databases it yielded 135,381 and 94,195 hits, respectively. Enormous interest to the ROS roles has been indirectly confirmed by the project by InTech Publisher, with the book on oxidative stress. We initially planned to publish one book, but when the project was started, more than 90 propositions were received. Therefore, recognizing the popularity of the field and interest of many scientists to share their knowledge with a broad auditory, we decided to divide the propositions and publish three books.
The development of hypothesis of oxidative stress in the 1980s stimulated the interest of biological and biomedical sciences that extends to this day. The contributions in this book provide the reader with the knowledge accumulated to date on the involvement of reactive oxygen species in different pathologies in humans and animals. This book should appeal to many researchers, who should find its information useful for advancing their fields.
InTeO -- 2012 -- ISBN: 9535105527 9789535105527 -- 624 pages -- PDF -- 17 MB
Download
*