Oxidative stress

Question 1

What role does NADPH oxidase play in the body’s immune response to infection?

Answer 1

NADPH oxidase is a membrane-bound enzyme complex that is involved in respiratory/ oxidative bursts. It is present in the cell membrane of phagosomes (in neutrophils and monocytes) and it transfers electrons from NADPH across the membrane to couple these to molecular oxygen species to generate superoxide radicals.

Question 2

What is a respiratory/oxidative burst?

Answer 2

It is an important part of the body’s immune response to infection. It is the rapid release of ROS by neutrophils and monocytes when stimulated, to destroy bacteria. In doing so the cell is usually destroyed, but surrounding bacteria or fungal cells are also destroyed

Question 3

Antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase require which trace element to function?

Answer 3

Selenium is essential for their activity