The Oxidative Stress Effects in Neonatal Diseases from Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

Free radicals (FRs) are continuously produced during aerobic metabolism and are characterized by high reactivity. They participate in many important physiological processes, but if produced in high concentrations, they lead to oxidative stress (OS) development and disturb pro-oxidative/antioxidative balancetowardtheoxidationof lipids,proteins,carbohydrates, or nucleic acids. 1 Each of these reactions may have deleterious consequences and differential effects on the distinct cell populations of the body, with certain speci fi c cell types being particularly vulnerable in perinatal period. 2 Pathologies resulting from oxidative damage are grouped together and categorized as “ free radical disease in the neonate ” (FRD). Such pathologies include retinopathy of prematurity (which in severe cases may lead to blindness), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (a particularly debilitating pulmonary lesion in the preterm infant), periventricular leukomalacia (an important cause of severe neurodisability in premature infants)