Antioxidants
Oxidation
reactions can involve the production of free radicals, which can form
dangerous chain reactions. Antioxidants can terminate these chain
reactions by removing radical intermediates and inhibiting other oxidation
reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants
are often reducing agents such as thiols or phenols. Although oxidation
reactions are critical for life, they can also be damaging; hence,
plants and animals maintain complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants,
such as glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as enzymes such
as catalase, superoxide dismutase and various peroxidases. Low levels
of antioxidant molecules or inhibition of these antioxidant enzymes
causes oxidative stress and may damage or kill cells. As oxidative
stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many human diseases,
the use of antioxidants in pharmacology is intensively studied, particularly
as a treatment for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases
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