Kontrowersyjna rola nadtlenków w organizmie

Abstract

The destructive role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cell and tissue damage is well documented. However, so far a very little is known about their role as a regulating factor in the cellular metabolism. At present, we cannot judge out whether the superoxide radicals are beneficial or harmful to the organisms. Their positive or negative influence each time is determined by a numerous factors (e.g. site and time of radicals generation as well as their concentration). This may lay down a t the bottom of some conflicting observations in free radical biology. The controversial role of the superoxide radicals in the vital metabolic processes (inflammation, proliferation, malignant transformation, apoptosis and lipid peroxidation) is discussed.