Oxidative Stress and the CNS

Bernhard

Thank you for the nice review of free radical generation and discussion of its importance in biological function and disease. You stated that superoxide generation occurs mainly in the mitochondrion. Does that mean that there is a correlation between mitochondrion function and free radical generation, i.e., is there an increase in superoxide production during periods of increased ATP production, such as hyperglycemia and a concommitant decrease in superoxide during hypoxia? I am curious as to how tightly this is regulated? It is fairly well-established that cerebral infarction is significantly worse during periods of hyperglycemia and always wondered whether free radical generation might have something to do with this. Also, are some cells more likely to produce superoxide than other cells?

Thu Dec 10