Reactive oxygen species metabolism pathways (ROS metabolism)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism pathways represent the integrated network of enzymatic and non-enzymatic processes that regulate the production and elimination of oxygen-derived molecules like superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (Sies et al., 2017, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology). These pathways are fundamental to cellular life, facilitating critical signaling functions in cell growth, differentiation, and immune responses (Pizzino et al., 2017, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity). Key molecular components include ROS-generating enzymes like NADPH oxidases (NOX) and antioxidant defenses such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and the glutathione system (UniProt P04179). When the balance between ROS production and scavenging is disrupted, oxidative stress occurs, leading to cumulative damage to cellular macromolecules including DNA, proteins, and lipids (NIH, StatPearls, 2023). This dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (PubMed, PMID: 29170645). Therapeutic interventions targeting these pathways include antioxidant supplements, Nrf2 activators, and specific enzyme inhibitors, though achieving selectivity remains a major clinical hurdle (PubChem CID 12035).

Other names

Oxidative stress pathwaysRedox metabolismROS signalingRedox homeostasisReactive oxygen species regulation

Drugs modulate ROS metabolism through several distinct mechanisms: direct scavenging of reactive species (antioxidants), pharmacological inhibition of ROS-generating enzymes such as NADPH oxidase (NOX) or xanthine oxidase, and the induction of endogenous antioxidant defense systems via the activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway (Pizzino et al., 2017, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity; PubChem CID 12035).