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Review
. 2024 Jul 17;25(14):7827.
doi: 10.3390/ijms25147827.

The Interplay between Endogenous and Foodborne Pro-Oxidants and Antioxidants in Shaping Redox Homeostasis

Patrycja Jakubek  1   2 , Karol Parchem  1 , Mariusz R Wieckowski  2 , Agnieszka Bartoszek  1
Affiliations
Review

The Interplay between Endogenous and Foodborne Pro-Oxidants and Antioxidants in Shaping Redox Homeostasis

Patrycja Jakubek et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Oxidative stress has been known about in biological sciences for several decades; however, the understanding of this concept has evolved greatly since its foundation. Over the past years, reactive oxygen species, once viewed as solely deleterious, have become recognized as intrinsic components of life. In contrast, antioxidants, initially believed to be cure-all remedies, have failed to prove their efficacy in clinical trials. Fortunately, research on the health-promoting properties of antioxidants has been ongoing. Subsequent years showed that the former assumption that all antioxidants acted similarly was greatly oversimplified. Redox-active compounds differ in their chemical structures, electrochemical properties, mechanisms of action, and bioavailability; therefore, their efficacy in protecting against oxidative stress also varies. In this review, we discuss the changing perception of oxidative stress and its sources, emphasizing everyday-life exposures, particularly those of dietary origin. Finally, we posit that a better understanding of the physicochemical properties and biological outcomes of antioxidants is crucial to fully utilize their beneficial impact on health.

Keywords: reactive oxygen species; redox chemistry; redox homeostasis; redox-active substances.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The concept of oxidative stress and related terms. Abbreviations: AOX, antioxidants; ROS, reactive oxygen species; ER, endoplasmic reticulum.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Electrochemical parameters and electron transfer during the formation of reactive oxygen species. The formal reduction potential values (at pH 7) were adapted from Li et al. (2019) [29].
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A) Overview of the components that constitute the core of redox homeostasis and which therefore may affect both physiological functions and the development of pathophysiological processes. Precision redox strategy points to crucial factors in designing successful redox-based therapies. Illustration inspired by the work of Sies et al. [10]. (B) Concerted action of major enzymatic and non-enzymatic factors constituting endogenous antioxidant system. Electron leakage from the electron transport chain (ETC) serves as an example of endogenous source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Abbreviations: CAT, catalase; GSH, glutathione; GSSG, glutathione disulfide; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; GR, glutathione reductase; PRDX, peroxiredoxins; SOD, superoxide dismutase; SRXN1, sulfiredoxin 1; TXN, thioredoxin; TXNR, thioredoxin reductase.
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