ROS Flashcards
what Conditions are Implicated by ROS in Pathogenesis?
Alcoholic liver disease Atherosclerosis Cancer Emphysema Inflammatory disease Ischaemia Reperfusion injury Neurological disorders
what is the definition of ROS?
Very reactive oxidant containing oxygen
Often a free radical
what is the definition of oxidant?
Substance that causes oxidation,
i.e. removal of hydrogen atoms or electrons, or addition of oxygen
what is the definition of free radical?
Species with unpaired electron that can exist independently
Often highly reactive
Tend to set up chain reactions
Orbital occupied by a single electron
Very reactive = short lived and hard to detect Independent of charge (-/+/uncharged)
Just because unpaired doesn’t mean it has to be +/-
why are free radicals reactive?
unpaired electron is unstable -> free radical eager to lose it or gain one
how common are free radicals?
Relatively uncommon -> more likely to encounter and react with non-radical than radical
what is the mechanism of reaction of free radicals?
1) Radical + non radical
2) odd electron unable to find partner
3) production of new radical
4) Chain reaction
5) Radical + free radical
6) odd electrons pair up
7) production of non-radicals
how do you quench free radical chain reactions?
Antioxidants (vit c+e)
Vit c = non radical
throws up 2 free and mops up 2 free radicals
how does ionising radiation cause free radicals?
cells 70% water
water a target for radiation
Hydroxyl Radical + Hydrogen Radical
what sources of ROS are there in healthy individuals?
OH radical - the worst kind
what sources of ionising radiation are there?
Natural radioactivity in soil
nuclear tests/accidents
space
why are Hydroxyl radical and hydrogen radicals from ionising radiation dangerous?
attack DNA/proteins in membranes
what Processes are ROS by-products of metabolic activity?
Respiratory chain – electron transport chain. Tendency for electrons to fall off and attach to oxygens = super oxide
Metabolism of xenobiotics
Eicosanoid (prostaglandins etc.) production
what cases of deliberate ROS production are there?
nitric oxide – chemical signalling molecule
Control of vascular tone
what ROS toxins are there?
nitrogen dioxide – motor vehicle exhaust fumes
Chemicals that are metabolised into ROS inside us e.g. carbon tetrachloride.
Metabolism may lead to coincidental ROS production e.g. alcohol (high concentrations)
Cigarette smoke contains chemicals in all 3 chemicals
what is the significance of ROS production in disease?
Overall effect:
General increase in ROS production
Increase in proportion of more dangerous forms
what is the aim of the respiratory burst?
production of microcidal agents
what cells are involved in the respiratory burst?
phagocytes i.e. neutrophils and macrophages
what is the trigger of the respiratory burst?
initiation of phagocytosis, i.e. when cell attempts to ingest foreign material, damaged tissue etc.
what is the process of the respiratory burst?
1) Initiation of phagocytosis
2) NADPH oxidase activated in phagosome membrane
3) release of superoxide ROS into phagosome
4) spontaneous conversion of superoxide
5) hydrogen peroxide (ROS)
Fast enough to go without an enzyme
what are the 2 fates of hydrogen peroxide in the respiratory burst?
Catalase -> water
OR
Myeloperoxidase -> hypochlorous acid (microcidal- bleach)
describe an inherited defect of NADPH oxidase
no bleach – no myeloperoxidase – more susceptible to infection
what further reactions occur in the respiratory burst?
coincidental production of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid