The cells of the aerobic organisms efficiently produce the energy necessary for their vital processes through the oxidation of energetic compounds, using oxygen as the final electron acceptor through oxidative phosphorylation. The price to be paid for the high energy efficiency is the continuous threat by oxygen radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS). Low levels of ROS can act as cellular signaling molecules regulating the cells’ adaptation to stress conditions, but high levels can be harmful. Therefore, the cells of aerobic organisms hold an efficient antioxidant system, and when the ROS production overwhelms the antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress condition develops. This latter leads to cellular, tissue and whole organism’s dysfunction.
ROS arise as side products of the oxidative metabolism, but their production can depend on endogenous and exogenous factors among which environmental pollutants.
Many hazardous chemicals are released into the environment due to anthropic activity. Industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, human and animal waste, are the main sources of terrestrial and aquatic pollution. Potential environmental pollutants are widely spread being present in vegetables, food, plastic products, cosmetics and medication. Many of the environmental pollutants lead to oxidative damage to cellular components and affect the antioxidant system, inducing an oxidative stress condition which can impair organisms’ health.
In this Research Topic, we invite investigators to contribute original research articles using in vitro or in vivo models to deepen the knowledge on the effects of the environmental pollutant on oxidative damage, ROS production and functional alterations.
We invite authors to submit original researches and review articles that cover the above topics, potentially including, but not necessarily limited to:
- role of pollutants on oxidative stress onset;
- adaptive redox responses to environmental pollutants;
- metabolic changes induced by environmental pollutants;
- pollutants, ROS and chronic disease;
- pollutants and antioxidant supplementation;
- pollutants -induced modulation of antioxidant defenses.
The cells of the aerobic organisms efficiently produce the energy necessary for their vital processes through the oxidation of energetic compounds, using oxygen as the final electron acceptor through oxidative phosphorylation. The price to be paid for the high energy efficiency is the continuous threat by oxygen radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS). Low levels of ROS can act as cellular signaling molecules regulating the cells’ adaptation to stress conditions, but high levels can be harmful. Therefore, the cells of aerobic organisms hold an efficient antioxidant system, and when the ROS production overwhelms the antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress condition develops. This latter leads to cellular, tissue and whole organism’s dysfunction.
ROS arise as side products of the oxidative metabolism, but their production can depend on endogenous and exogenous factors among which environmental pollutants.
Many hazardous chemicals are released into the environment due to anthropic activity. Industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, human and animal waste, are the main sources of terrestrial and aquatic pollution. Potential environmental pollutants are widely spread being present in vegetables, food, plastic products, cosmetics and medication. Many of the environmental pollutants lead to oxidative damage to cellular components and affect the antioxidant system, inducing an oxidative stress condition which can impair organisms’ health.
In this Research Topic, we invite investigators to contribute original research articles using in vitro or in vivo models to deepen the knowledge on the effects of the environmental pollutant on oxidative damage, ROS production and functional alterations.
We invite authors to submit original researches and review articles that cover the above topics, potentially including, but not necessarily limited to:
- role of pollutants on oxidative stress onset;
- adaptive redox responses to environmental pollutants;
- metabolic changes induced by environmental pollutants;
- pollutants, ROS and chronic disease;
- pollutants and antioxidant supplementation;
- pollutants -induced modulation of antioxidant defenses.