Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation – from molecular mechanisms to clinic

The term oxidative stress refers to the processes that create an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in relation to the ability of cells and the body to control ROS with antioxidants. Consequently, ROS no longer play a physiological role in regulating metabolism and cell signaling necessary for the growth and development of cells, but instead become harmful substances that attack lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Oxidative stress accompanies the body throughout life and can cause reversible damage that ultimately favors the strengthening of the body’s defenses by the hormesis mechanism. However, long-term and aggressive oxidative stress favors the development of many different diseases associated with aging and stress, including neurodegenerative diseases and malignant tumors. An important component of oxidative stress is lipid peroxidation, which, like oxidative stress, can have both desirable and very harmful effects. This is largely due to the formation of reactive aldehydes, as the final products of the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, of which 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is particularly important, acting as a second messenger of ROS because it achieves similar effects as ROS, even when oxidative stress ceases, and can be measured in tissues and body fluids. Therefore, research on oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation is important for a better understanding of diseases related to aging and stress, for the development of diagnostic procedures, and the possibilities of their application in integrative cancer therapies.