Fatty acids and oxidative stress

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a condition which modifies the normal intracellular balance between oxidant substances produced during aerobic metabolism and antioxidant system processes which perform the function of neutralisation, putting a series of protective mechanisms, of both an enzymatic and non enzymatic nature, in action. Enzymatic systems include dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). In non-enzymatic systems, the most important molecules are glutathione, atocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), flavonoids, the phenol compounds and the minerals zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Sn)