OXIDATION DAMAGE

Why does oxidation damage occur?

• Free radicals are atoms or molecules with one or more unpaired electron
• The unpaired electron creates instability and high reactivity
• The electron seeks an association with another unpaired electron and/or hydrogen
• This electron and/or hydrogen may be from a biomolecule

What kind of biomolecules are damaged by free radicals?

• Proteins
• Lipids
• DNA

Figure
Possible biomarkers of oxidation damage

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a reactive breakdown product of lipid peroxidation.

What do the damages lead to?

• Protein transformations may change activity and other properties, leading to cellular dysfunction or cell death
• Oxidised lipids contribute to cardiovascular disease (CAD)
• DNA damage can produce gene mutations, which may lead to cancer