Reactive oxygen species and redox pathways (ROS/Redox)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redox pathways encompass a complex network of oxygen-derived molecules and the enzymatic systems that regulate their production and neutralization. ROS, including superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide, serve as critical secondary messengers in signal transduction, regulating processes such as cell growth, differentiation, and immune activation (Sies & Jones, 2020, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology). However, an imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defense leads to oxidative stress, which causes oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules. This state of oxidative stress is a hallmark of various pathologies, including cancer, atherosclerosis, and neurodegeneration (Pizzino et al., 2017, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity). Therapeutic interventions target these pathways by either directly neutralizing ROS, inhibiting ROS-generating enzymes like NADPH oxidases, or pharmacologically inducing the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response (Forman & Zhang, 2021, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery). Drugs like dimethyl fumarate and bardoxolone methyl aim to modulate these pathways to treat inflammatory and metabolic conditions. Despite their potential, targeting these pathways is challenging because ROS are essential for normal physiology. Non-specific antioxidant therapy often fails to show clinical benefit due to the disruption of essential signaling.

Other names

Oxidative stress pathwaysRedox signalingReactive oxygen species metabolismRedox homeostasis

Drugs targeting these pathways typically act by scavenging reactive species directly, inhibiting enzymes responsible for ROS production (such as NADPH oxidase), or activating transcription factors like Nrf2 to enhance the expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (Forman & Zhang, 2021, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery).