Reactive oxygen species-related antioxidant defense systems (ROS-ADS)

The reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related antioxidant defense system is a multi-layered biological network responsible for maintaining cellular redox balance by neutralizing excessive reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. This system comprises enzymatic antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), alongside non-enzymatic molecules like glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid, and tocopherols (Halliwell & Gutteridge, 2015, Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine). These components function to prevent oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA, which otherwise leads to cellular dysfunction and death (Sies et al., 2017, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology). Chronic imbalance, known as oxidative stress, is a hallmark of numerous pathologies, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer (Forman & Zhang, 2021, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery). Pharmacological modulation of this system often involves the use of Nrf2 activators, such as dimethyl fumarate, which induce a broad cytoprotective response, or direct-acting mimetics of antioxidant enzymes (He et al., 2020, Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy). Despite its therapeutic potential, the system's complexity presents challenges, as ROS are also vital for physiological signaling, and excessive antioxidant intervention can paradoxically promote tumor progression or impair immune responses (Sayin et al., 2014, Science Translational Medicine).

Other names

Antioxidant defense systemCellular antioxidant networkROS scavenging systemRedox homeostasis system

Drugs targeting this system typically act by directly scavenging reactive species, providing precursors for antioxidant synthesis (e.g., glutathione), or activating transcription factors like Nrf2 to upregulate the expression of multiple antioxidant enzymes.