Targeting Oxidative Stress for Disease Prevention and Therapy: Where Do We Stand, and Where Do We Go from Here

Abstract

Oxidative stress (OxS) is one of the main processes related to aging and a common denominator of many different chronic/degenerative diseases (e.g., cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions and cancer). Thus, its potential modulation by supplementation/pharmacological therapy caused a lot of interest. However, these expectations have been mitigated by the obtainment of controversial results (beneficial, null, or adverse effects) following antioxidant interventions. Here, we discuss the current understanding of OxS assessment in health and disease, challenges and the potential of its evaluation in clinical practice, and available and future development for supplementation and pharmacologic strategies targeting OxS.

Keywords: antioxidant supplementation; blood; disease prevention; disease therapy; miRNAs; oxidative stress; pharmacological target.

Figure 1

Main commonly measured biomarkers related to the oxidative stress multi-entity.

Figure 2

Examples of chemical modifications of nucleic acid analogs: 2′-substitutions (2′-O-methyl, and 2′-fluoro); locked nucleic acid modification (LNA); 5′-phosphorothioate (PS).

Figure 3

Micro-RNA/small interference-RNA (miRNA/siRNA) delivery strategies: (1) Active: By receptor-mediated endocytosis (as in the figure), or conjugated to cholesterol, aptamers, membrane-penetrating polymers, etc. and (2) passive: By no receptor-mediated micropinocytosis of miRNA/siRNA-carrying nanoparticles, liposomes-like particles, etc. by electrostatic interaction with a cellular membrane.