Review Article: Oxidative Stress as Molecular Mechanism in Environmntal Stress

Abstract

The concept and manifestation of stress and forms of environmental stress which was defined as a biological response to an event that an individual perceives as a threat to its homeostasis are linked to the activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system. Under normal conditions, cells have well-developed antioxidants systems that minimize the pertubations caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, when ROS generations are increased to an extent that  they overcome the cellular antioxidants then oxidative stress results. Oxidative stress is seen as a battle between inducers (pro-oxidants) and protective factors (antioxidants), because ROS are partially products of oxygen; they have a high chemical reactivity with other bio-macromolecules that may lead to lipid peroxidation and oxidation. Due to this reactivity, oxidative stress is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of environmental stress.

Keywords: Environmental stress, Reactive oxygen species, Oxidative stress, Antioxidants.