oxygen radicals tagged posts

Goethe University researchers investigate oxidative stress in mice. Originally, oxygen radicals — reactive oxygen species, or ROS for short — were considered to be exclusively harmful in the body. They are produced, for example, by smoking or UV radiation. Because of their high reactivity, they can damage many important molecules in cells, including the hereditary molecule DNA. As a result, there is a risk of inflammatory reactions and the degeneration of affected cells into cancer cells.

Because of their damaging effect, however, ROS are also deliberately produced by the body, for example by immune or lung epithelial cells, which destroy invading ...

Highlights • Genetic loss of PHD1 provides substantial protection against brain ischemic injury • PHD1 loss reprograms glucose metabolism without vascular changes • Increased oxPPP flux, at the expense of glycolysis, enhances redox balance in neurons • Intracerebroventricular delivery of anti-PHD1 oligos protects against stroke

Despite (minor) improvements in stroke treatment, stroke remains the 4th leading cause of death and the most common reason of severe disability. Research led by Prof. Peter Carmeliet and Dr. Annelies Quaegebeur (VIB/KU Leuven) indicates inhibition of PHD1 offers protection against stroke, via an unexpected mechanism, raising hope for future stroke treatment.

Brain cells rely on oxygen and glucose to generate energy, necessary to function normally...