This book is based on the papers presented at the "Fourth International Congress on Oxygen Radicals (4-ICOR)," held June 27 - July 3, 1987, at the University of California, La Jolla. The chapters deal with the phenomena associated with highly reactive oxygen species (hydroxy, peroxy, alkoxy, aroxy, and superoxide radicals, as well as singlet oxygen) and their peroxidation products (hydrogen peroxide, hydroperoxides, peroxides, and epoxides) as they relate to the fields of chemistry, food technology, nutrition, biology, pharmacology, and medicine. The kinetics, energetics, and mechanistic aspects of the reactions of these species and the interrelationship of oxygen radicals (or any other free radicals) and peroxidized products have been emphasized. Special attention is focused on the mechanisms of the generation of free radicals and peroxy products in biosystems and on the adverse effects of these radicals and products in humans. The topics span the continuum from the simple chemistry of model systems to the complex considerations of clinical medicine. The book also explores the mechanisms of agents that protect against free radicals and peroxy products in vitro and in vivo. These agents include antioxidants used in materials, food antioxidants, physiological antioxidants, and antioxienzymes (SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and catalases). The use of these inhibitors to prevent damage to organs being prepared for transplantation, thereby maintaining the quality of transplanted organs and/or extending their "shelf-life," also is examined.

Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine has become a classic text in the field of free radical and antioxidant research. Now in its fifth edition, the book has been comprehensively rewritten and updated whilst maintaining the clarity of its predecessors. Two new chapters discuss 'in vivo' and 'dietary' antioxidants, the first emphasising the role of peroxiredoxins and integrated defence mechanisms which allow useful roles for ROS, and the second containing new information on the role of fruits, vegetables, and vitamins in health and disease. This new edition also contains expanded coverage of the mechanisms of oxidative damage to lipids, DNA, and proteins (and the repair of such damage), and the roles played by reactive species in signal transduction, cell survival, death, human reproduction, defence mechanisms of animals and plants against pathogens, and other important biological events. The methodologies available to measure reactive species and oxidative damage (and their potential pitfalls) have been fully updated, as have the topics of phagocyte ROS production, NADPH oxidase enzymes, and toxicology. There is a detailed and critical evaluation of the role of free radicals and other reactive species in human diseases, especially cancer, cardiovascular, chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. New aspects of ageing are discussed in the context of the free radical theory of ageing. This book is recommended as a comprehensive introduction to the field for students, educators, clinicians, and researchers. It will also be an invaluable companion to all those interested in the role of free radicals in the life and biomedical sciences.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) which include free radicals, peroxides, singlet oxygen, ozone, and nitrogen monoxide and dioxide free radicals, is an area of intense research. This volume covers (1) the destruction of cellular function by ROS resulting in pathological states; (2) the protection by ROS of an organism against invading organisms that cause infections; and (3) the role of ROS in normal physiological processes. Designed for beginning graduate students, this book gives a concise overview of the field.

The focus of this collection of illustrated reviews is to discuss the systems biology of free radicals and anti-oxidants. Free radical induced cellular damage in a variety of tissues and organs is reviewed, with detailed discussion of molecular and cellular mechanisms. The collection is aimed at those new to the field, as well as clinicians and scientists with long standing interests in free radical biology. A feature of this collection is that the material also brings insights into various diseases where free radicals are thought to play a role. There is extensive discussion of the success and limitations of the use of antioxidants in several clinical settings.

Twenty years ago, the enzyme superoxide dismutase which uses the superoxide radical anion as its specific substrate was reported. With this discovery was born a new scientific field, in which oxygen, necessary for aerobi c 1 ife on thi s planet, had to be cons i dered also in terms of its toxicity and stresses. This stimulated the search for knowledge of active oxygen species in biology and medicine. Superoxide and other reactive oxygen species are now implicated in many disease processes. Major advances have been achieved during these past years with respect to free radical generation and mechanisms of free radical action in causing tissue injury. In parallel, the possibil ity of influencing free radical related disease processes by antioxidant treatment was studied in various in vitro and in vivo systems. This was the unique theme of a conference organized in Paris by the Society for Free Radical Research (December 9-10, 1988) which brought together experts from basic sciences and clinicians in order to evaluate the current status of antioxidant therapy. The conference emphasized fundamental processes in antioxidant action. Among the major topics were superoxide dismutase (SOD) and low molecular weight substances with such activity, called SOD mimics. Other antioxidant enzymes were also considered. Antioxidant vitamins, in particular vitamins E and C, other naturally occurri ng antioxidants and vari ous synthet i c antioxidants were included in the presentations as there is now a rapidly developing series of compounds with potentially interesting clinical applications.

The use of antioxidants in sports is controversial due to existing evidence that they both support and hinder athletic performance. Antioxidants in Sport Nutrition covers antioxidant use in the athlete ́s basic nutrition and discusses the controversies surrounding the usefulness of antioxidant supplementation. The book also stresses how antioxidants may affect immunity, health, and exercise performance. The book contains scientifically based chapters explaining the basic mechanisms of exercise-induced oxidative damage. Also covered are methodological approaches to assess the effectiveness of antioxidant treatment. Biomarkers are discussed as a method to estimate the bioefficacy of dietary/supplemental antioxidants in sports. This book is useful for sport nutrition scientists, physicians, exercise physiologists, product developers, sport practitioners, coaches, top athletes, and recreational athletes. In it, they will find objective information and practical guidance.

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Protection: The Science of Free Radical Biology and Disease Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Protection begins with a historical perspective of pioneers in oxidative stress with an introductory section that explains the basic principles related to oxidative stress in biochemistry and molecular biology, demonstrating both pathways and biomarkers. This section also covers diagnostic imaging and differential diagnostics. The following section covers psychological, physiologic, pharmacologic and pathologic correlates. This section addresses inheritance, gender, nutrition, obesity, family history, behavior modification, natural herbal-botanical products, and supplementation in the treatment of disease. Clinical trials are also summarized for major medical disorders and efficacy of treatment, with particular focus on inflammation, immune response, recycling, disease progression, outcomes and interventions. Each of the chapters describes what biomarker(s) and physiological functions may be relevant to a concept of specific disease and potential alternative therapy. The chapters cover medical terminology, developmental change, effects of aging, senescence, lifespan, and wound healing, and also illustrates cross-over exposure to other fields. The final chapter covers how and when to interpret appropriate data used in entry level biostatistics and epidemiology. Authored and edited by leaders in the field, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Protection will be an invaluable resource for students and researchers studying cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry, as well professionals in various health science fields.

"Oxidative stress" is used as the generic term describing the involve ment of reactive oxygen species in various human diseases. The scope of such a topic is becoming increasingly wide. The recent interest in radicals such as nitric oxide and the discovery of new mechanisms such as the effect of free radicals on redox sensitive proteins and genes are enlarging our understanding of the physiological role of free radicals. Oxidative stress is involved in numerous pathological. processes such as ageing, respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological pathologies such as dementia or Parkinson's disease. It still remains difficult, however, to demonstrate by chemical measurement the in vivo production of free radicals and even more to realise their speciation. Therefore, the development of new tools and indicators is engrossing many researchers working in this field. Reliable indicators are abso lutely necessary not only to monitor the evolution of oxidative stress in patients but also to evaluate the efficiency of new antioxidant treat ments. The French Free radical club of Grenoble, the CERLIB has been involved for many years in the organisation of international training programs on methodology, in order to provide both theoretical and practical help to researchers from various countries. Such training sessions have been highly successful and participants value the oppor tunity to learn reliable techniques. This positive echo explains why the researchers of CERLIB decided, with the help of Prof. Dr. B. Kalyanaraman, to publish selected techniques on free radical re search.

Although free radicals perform some useful immune functions, they can also damage healthy cells through a process called oxidation. Antioxidants reduce the effect of free radicals by binding together with these harmful molecules, decreasing their destructive power. This book highlights various issues of free radical biology from the perspective of antioxidant defense mechanisms. It also provides useful information on gene modulation, radiation-generated reactive oxygen species-induced apoptosis in cancer, and environmental aspects associated with free radicals’ exposure on living systems.