Abstract
Free radicals have acquired growing importance in the fields of biology and medicine. They are produced during many different endogenous and exogenous processes. Mitochondria are the main source of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced at cell level. The overproduction of free radicals can damage macromolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. This leads to tissue damage in various chronic and degenerative diseases. Antioxidants play a crucial role in the body’s defense against free radicals. This review concerns the main properties of free radicals, their sources and deleterious effects. It highlights the potential role of the dietary supplementation of antioxidants and discusses unsolved problems regarding antioxidant supplements in the prevention and therapy of diseases.
Cited by
139 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献