Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

<p>In the biochemical reactions that take place within all living beings species called free radicals are generated. Denham Harman in his study on the origin and evolution of life (Harman 2001) proposes that these species are amongst the causes of the origin of life on our planet. Oxygen is a molecule that provides the primary source of energy in aerobic organisms and therefore is key to the development and evolution of life. On the one hand it gives rise to life; on the other due to its ability to form different free radicals it is capable of damaging essential structures for development.</p><p>To combat these radicals our biological systems have developed antioxidant defenses. However when the balance between free radicals and antioxidant defenses is broken</p><p>in favor of the former a phenomenon called oxidative stress occurs which ends up damaging molecules such as DNA proteins carbohydrates and lipids (Sies 1983) (Halliwell and Gutteridge 1985). This phenomenon is implicated both in the development of diseases and in their progression. In addition inflammation phenomena are also involved in most pathologies which although they are essential for tissue repair and immunity turn against our bodies when they become excessively active.</p><p>For these reasons in this special edition we showcase an extensive knowledge of the effects of oxidative stress and inflammation both in diseases such as aging or for its role in health.</p>