Antioxidant defense system component

The antioxidant defense system is a collective ensemble of endogenous enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), small molecules (glutathione, vitamins C/E/A), and minerals (selenium, zinc, copper) that act to neutralize reactive oxygen species and prevent oxidative damage to biomolecules including lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids[1][2][3][7][8]. These components operate in concert in cells and tissues, acting through enzymatic breakdown, radical scavenging, and repair mechanisms. The integrity of this system is critical for health, and dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases[2][8]. “Antioxidant defense system component” is a generic descriptor, not a specific therapeutic target, and structured data should reference the actual molecular entities (such as SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) for meaningful pharmacological or therapeutic annotations[2][6][7][8].

Other names

Antioxidant systemAntioxidant defense system (ADS)Antioxidant protection systemAntioxidative system (AOS)

Scavenging/free radical neutralization; Enzymatic conversion of ROS to non-toxic products (e.g., superoxide dismutase: O⁲•⁻ to H⁲O⁲; catalase: H⁲O⁲ to H⁲O); Regeneration of oxidized molecules (e.g., glutathione); Chelation of metal ions (prevention of Fenton reaction)