Lipid Oxidation and Peroxidation: Health and Disease

Lipid oxidation and peroxidation are central processes in the regulation of cellular homeostasis, with profound implications for health and disease. The oxidative degradation of lipids—most notably polyunsaturated fatty acids—by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals leads to the production of a variety of primary and secondary oxidation products, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). These lipid-derived species not only influence cell signaling and metabolic processes, but also integrate into broader regulatory networks affecting cellular adaptation, growth, and survival. Tight control of lipid oxidation is essential for normal physiology; conversely, its dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and cancer.

Deciphering the biological functions and mechanisms of lipid oxidation and peroxidation presents significant challenges, owing to the structural diversity of lipids, the reactivity of their oxidative products, and the complex interplay with antioxidant defense systems. The extent and impact of lipid peroxidation are determined by factors such as enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (e.g., superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, vitamin E, and carotenoids), genetic and metabolic predispositions, and environmental exposures. Recent advances have revealed novel links between lipid peroxidation and processes including inflammation, apoptosis, and ferroptosis, but key questions remain regarding the specificity of lipid oxidation pathways, their interaction with cellular macromolecules, and their roles in disease onset and progression. While candidate biomarkers of lipid peroxidation have been described, the development of clinically robust markers for early diagnosis and monitoring remains incomplete.

This Research Topic aims to serve as a platform for advancing our understanding of lipid oxidation and peroxidation in health and disease by providing a forum for interdisciplinary research and the exchange of new concepts, technologies, and approaches. We welcome both experimental and theoretical studies that explore all facets of lipid oxidation and its biological consequences, utilizing in vivo, in vitro, and in silico models, as well as innovations in analytical, computational, and omics methodologies.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Molecular mechanisms and pathways of lipid oxidation and peroxidation
• Biological effects of lipid peroxidation products on cellular signaling and metabolism
• Interactions of oxidized lipids with proteins, nucleic acids, and membranes
• Role of lipid peroxidation in inflammation, cell death pathways (including apoptosis and ferroptosis), and tissue injury
• Influence of antioxidant defense mechanisms on susceptibility to lipid peroxidation
• Genetic, metabolic, dietary, and environmental modulators of lipid oxidation
• Analytical techniques for detection and quantification of lipid peroxidation products in biological systems
• Identification and validation of lipid peroxidation biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis
• Advances in strategies for preventing or targeting lipid peroxidation in clinical and translational settings

The types of publications that are welcome include, but are not limited to, original research, brief reports, reviews, minireviews, methods, and perspectives.

Keywords: Lipid oxidation, peroxidation, biomarkers, chronic disease

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.