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.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę
