Reactive oxygen species and peroxidized membrane lipids (ROS/LPO)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxidized membrane lipids are reactive chemical entities that play dual roles as signaling molecules and mediators of cellular damage. ROS, such as superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, are generated during mitochondrial respiration and enzymatic reactions, while peroxidized lipids result from the oxidative attack on polyunsaturated fatty acids within cell membranes (Source: NIH PMC3914831). Excessive accumulation of these species leads to oxidative stress, causing irreversible damage to DNA, proteins, and lipid bilayers, which is a hallmark of diseases like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), atherosclerosis, and various cancers (Source: PubMed 22624696). Specifically, the accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides is the defining feature of ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death (Source: PubMed 28890325). Therapeutic intervention involves the use of radical scavengers and antioxidants, such as edaravone and N-acetylcysteine, which neutralize ROS or terminate the lipid peroxidation chain reaction (Source: PubChem CID 4021). Despite their clinical relevance, targeting these species is challenging because low levels of ROS are essential for normal physiological signaling, and broad-spectrum antioxidants can sometimes interfere with these vital processes (Source: PubMed 24591657).

Other names

Reactive oxygen speciesLipid peroxidesOxidative stress productsLipid hydroperoxidesReactive oxygen intermediatesPeroxidized lipids

Direct chemical neutralization of reactive oxygen species and the inhibition of the autoxidative chain reaction of membrane lipids to prevent cellular damage and ferroptotic cell death (Source: PubMed PMC4764129).