Lipid peroxidation chain reaction (None)

Lipid peroxidation chain reactions refer to the self-propagating oxidative degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids within biological membranes. Initiated by reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals abstracting hydrogen atoms from lipids, this process generates lipid radicals that react with molecular oxygen to form lipid hydroperoxyl radicals. These then propagate further radical formation in adjacent lipids until termination occurs via antioxidant action or radical recombination. The primary products are lipid hydroperoxides and secondary breakdown products like malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal. Lipid peroxidation is implicated in cell death pathways including apoptosis and ferroptosis and contributes significantly to tissue damage observed in neurodegeneration, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, aging processes, and acute organ injuries. While not itself considered a therapeutic target like an enzyme or receptor protein—and thus not suitable for direct pharmacological targeting—the process can be modulated indirectly through antioxidants that interrupt the chain reaction mechanism.

Other names

Lipid peroxidationlipid oxidationlipid radical chain reactionoxidative degradation of lipids

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and terminate the chain reaction by donating hydrogen atoms to lipid peroxy radicals, preventing further propagation of lipid peroxidation.