Oxidative stress and antioxidant pathways

Oxidative stress and antioxidant pathways represent a complex network of biochemical processes that maintain cellular redox homeostasis by balancing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with antioxidant defenses (StatPearls: NBK545182). ROS, such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, are natural byproducts of aerobic metabolism and serve as signaling molecules at low levels, but their accumulation leads to oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA (NIH: PMC2990475). The antioxidant system includes enzymatic components like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as non-enzymatic molecules like glutathione and vitamins (PubMed: 25979306). Dysregulation of these pathways is a hallmark of numerous pathologies, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular diseases, where chronic oxidative stress drives tissue damage and inflammation (PubMed: 28826544). Therapeutic strategies often focus on activating the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling axis to upregulate endogenous antioxidant enzymes or using small-molecule scavengers to neutralize excess ROS (PubChem: 2723785). However, clinical success has been limited by the dual role of ROS in essential physiological signaling, making precise modulation of these pathways a significant challenge in drug development (PubMed: 25979306).

Other names

Redox signalingAntioxidant defense systemROS metabolismOxidative stress response

Activation of the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway, direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species, replenishment of endogenous antioxidant stores like glutathione, and inhibition of ROS-producing enzymes such as NADPH oxidase.