COURSE V: Oxidant and Anti-oxidant System

The term anti-oxidant is an often-used term in the marketing of many foods and supplements, but what does it actually mean? What are oxidants? Where do they arise? Do they have a purpose? This lesson focuses on the biochemical and cellular processes that generate specific oxidants and their important role in cell signalling. That oxidants may cause lipid peroxidation, protein and DNA damage is perhaps more generally appreciated, possibly less so their role in immune regulation, thyroxine production and mitochondria generation. The buffering cellular antioxidant system is explored, with a focus on glutathione and the enzyme system that breaks down oxidants. Having gathered the detail, a meta pattern of ‘REDOX homeostasis’ can then be considered, as well as some of the more commonly recognised DNA transcription factors fine tuning these responses.