Antioxidant network

The antioxidant network is a complex, integrated system of enzymes and non-enzymatic molecules that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) (Halliwell & Gutteridge, 2007). Key enzymatic components include superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), while non-enzymatic components include glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, and vitamin E (NIH, 2025). This network maintains redox homeostasis, which is critical for normal cellular signaling, metabolism, and survival (MDPI, 2023). Dysregulation of the antioxidant network leads to oxidative stress, a condition implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disorders, and diabetes (NIH, 2022). In cancer, the network is often hijacked by tumor cells to survive high ROS levels and resist therapy (MDPI, 2023). Therapeutic strategies involve either supplementing the network with exogenous antioxidants or activating endogenous pathways, such as the Nrf2-Keap1 axis, to enhance cellular defenses (NIH, 2025). However, excessive antioxidant activity can sometimes interfere with ROS-dependent therapies like chemotherapy and radiation, highlighting the need for precise modulation (CancerNetwork, 2008).

Other names

Antioxidant defense systemRedox homeostasis networkCellular antioxidant systemNRF2 antioxidant network

The antioxidant network functions through multiple mechanisms, including the direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), the induction of endogenous antioxidant enzymes via the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway, the replenishment of essential thiols like glutathione, and the chelation of transition metal ions to prevent Fenton-type reactions (Halliwell & Gutteridge, 2007; MDPI, 2023).