Reactive oxygen species-related and antioxidant pathways (ROS/Antioxidant pathways)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related and antioxidant pathways represent a complex network of enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems dedicated to maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. Key components include enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the master regulatory transcription factor Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2). Under physiological conditions, low levels of ROS serve as critical signaling molecules for cell survival and proliferation; however, an imbalance leading to excessive ROS results in oxidative stress, causing damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids. This imbalance is a hallmark of numerous pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic inflammation. Therapeutic strategies often focus on activating the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway to enhance the endogenous antioxidant response or using small molecule scavengers to mitigate oxidative damage. While promising, targeting these pathways is challenging due to the 'antioxidant paradox,' where excessive suppression of ROS can interfere with essential signaling or inadvertently protect malignant cells from apoptosis.

Other names

Antioxidant defense systemRedox signaling pathwaysOxidative stress response pathwaysNrf2-Keap1 signaling pathwayAntioxidant response element (ARE) pathway

Drugs targeting these pathways typically act as Nrf2 activators to induce antioxidant gene expression, ROS scavengers to directly neutralize oxidants, or inhibitors of ROS-producing enzymes like NADPH oxidase (NOX).