Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology,
University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain | Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Peset University
Hospital, Valencia, Spain
Note: [] Corresponding author: Ana Belén López-Jaén, Department of
Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, Avenida Blasco
Ibáñez, 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain. Tel.: +34 96 3864170; Fax: +34 96
3864815; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between free radical
production and antioxidant defense in favor of the first. Free radicals can
exert negative effects on biomolecules and metabolic reactions that results in
cellular damage which may be involved in aging processes and degenerative
pathologies. To limit the harmful effects of free radicals, the organism has
developed a series of antioxidant defense systems in order to protect
themselves. These systems give to the free radicals elimination or its
transformation into stable molecules. The antioxidant defense system consists
on cellular enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and
glutathione peroxidase and non-enzymatic antioxidants either endogenous
(glutathione) or exogenous (vitamin E, vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids)
between others.