Reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides (ROS/LPO)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxides are highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen metabolism and the subsequent oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. While they serve essential roles in physiological cell signaling and the immune system's antimicrobial response, their overproduction leads to oxidative stress and catastrophic cellular damage [National Cancer Institute]. Lipid peroxides are particularly significant as the primary drivers of ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death linked to various pathologies including neurodegeneration and ischemia-reperfusion injury [Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology]. Therapeutic intervention focuses on neutralizing these species using antioxidants or preventing their formation to treat conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and stroke [PubMed]. Common pharmacological approaches include the use of small-molecule scavengers like edaravone or precursors to endogenous antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine [StatPearls].

Other names

OxidantsPro-oxidantsLipid hydroperoxidesReactive oxygen metabolitesOxidative stress mediators

Direct scavenging of free radicals, inhibition of lipid peroxidation chain reactions, and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defenses [PubMed, StatPearls].