Main description:

Basic research has thrown new light on the importance of free radicals in biol- ogy and medicine. The clarification of interactions opens numerous physio- logical and pathological processes to closer scrutiny. The pathophysiological processes are now understood, even though the basic mechanisms of free radi- cal reaction have as yet escaped full explanation. Asystematic approach makes it possible to re-evaluate and contrast the in- dications, reactions, and prospects for success. The extracellular significance of oxygen radicals in inflammatory condi- tions and their role in the destruction of bacteria in the phagosome of granu- locytes were primary factors intensifying research. Nature also provides a great number of examples which demonstrate that through the emergence of free radicals highly toxic combinations can form from innocuous substances. The reverse principle may also be encountered. Taking into account free radical reactions in pathomorphological investi- gations helps prepare the ground for causal therapy. Research into these phen- omena will contribute to a better understanding of physiological and patho- physiological processes.
Many questions still remain unanswered, and it will take several years of research before the final stone is unturned.

Contents:

I The Chemistry of Free Radical Reactions.- 1 The Definition and Reactions of Free Radicals.- 2 Lipid Peroxidation.- 3 The Most Important Physical and Chemical Properties of Molecular Oxygen: Radicals of Molecular Oxygen.- 3.1 Reduction.- 3.2 Excitation.- 4 Reactions in which ROIs are Formed.- 5 Summary.- II Control of Free Radical Reactions in Biological Systems.- 1 Control by Membrane Structure.- 2 Control by Specific Molecular Structure.- 3 Scavengers and Antioxidants.- 4 Cellular Enzymatic Defence Against Radicals of Molecular Oxygen.- 5 Antioxidant Defence of the Extracellular Space.- 6 Summary.- III Physiological Free Radical Reactions.- 1 The Role of Free Radical Reactions in Phagocytosis.- 2 Free Radicals Generated During Platelet Activity.- 3 Free Radical Generation in Mitochondrial and Microsomal Electron Transport Chains and in Peroxisomes.- 4 Role of Free Radicals in the Synthesis and Degradation of Various Biomolecules: Free Radical Formation During Autoexidation of Biomolecules.- 4.1 Arachidonic Acid Metabolism.- 4.2 Role of Free Radical Reactions in the Synthesis of Adrenocortical Hormones and in the Functional Division of the Cortex.- 4.3 The Role of Free Radical Reactions in the Function of Melanins.- 4.4 The Modulating Effect of Free Radicals on the Activity of Enzymes: Free Radical Generation by Autooxidation of Biomolecules and During Enzyme Function.- 5 The Role of Free Radicals in Reproduction and Embryonic Development.- 6 Summary.- IV Pathological Free Radical Reactions: General Aspects.- 1 Damage of Enzymes and Proteins Caused by Free Radicals.- 2 Damage of the Cell Membrane and Subcellular Organelles.- 3 Fluorescent Molecular Damage and Lipofuscin Pigments.- 4 Free Radical Damage of Nucleic Acids and Their Components.- 5 Connection Between LPO and Tissue Damage.- 6 Summary.- V Demonstration of Free Radical Reactions.- 1 Summary.- VI Clinical Importance of Free Radical Reactions and Their Role in the Pathogenesis of Various Human Diseases.- 1 The Radical Theory of Oxygen Toxicity.- 1.1 Summary.- 2 The Role of Free Radical Reactions in Inflammation.- 2.1. Summary.- 3 Relation of Free Radical Reactions to the Immune System and Their Role in Immunopathological Syndromes.- 3.1 Rheumatoid Arthritis.- 3.2 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.- 3.3 Summary.- 4 The Free Radical Theory of Ageing.- 4.1. Summary.- 5 The Role of Free Radical Reactions in the Pathogenesis of Some Neurological Diseases.- 5.1 Chronic Organic Brain Syndrome.- 5.2 Alzheimer's Disease.- 5.3 Parkinson's Disease.- 5.4 The Role of Free Radicals in Neurotransmission.- 5.5 Psychiatric Syndromes.- 5.6 Cerebrovascular Syndromes and Trauma of the Central Nervous System.- 5.7 Cerebral Lipofuscinosis.- 5.8 Summary.- 6 The Free Radical Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis.- 6.1 Summary.- 7 Hypertension and Free Radical Reactions.- 7.1 Summary.- 8 Free Radical Reaction in Ischaemic Damage.- 8.1 Ischaemic Cerebrovascular Disease.- 8.2 Myocardial Ischaemia and Infarction.- 8.3 Renal Ischaemia.- 8.4 Shock.- 8.5 Transplantation.- 8.6 Summary.- 9 Free Radical Reactions in Other, Nonischaemic Heart Diseases.- 9.1 Summary.- 10 The Role of Free Radical Reactions in Carcinogenesis: Connection Between Atherosclerosis, Ageing, Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis.- 10.1 Summary.- 11 Free Radical Reactions and Mutagenesis.- 11.1. Summary.- 12 Free Radical Mechanisms in the Effect of Drugs and Chemicals.- 12.1. Summary.- 13 Free Radical Reactions in Pulmonary Diseases.- 13.1 Emphysema.- 13.2 Bronchial Asthma.- 13.3 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Adults.- 13.4 Silicosis and Asbestosis.- 13.5 Summary.- 14 Free Radical Reactions in Hepatic Diseases.- 14.1 Alcoholic Liver Damage.- 14.2 Hepatic Damage Caused by Drugs and Chemical Agents.- 14.3 Wilsen's Disease.- 14.4 Haemochromatosis.- 14.5 Dubin-Johnson Syndrome.- 14.6 Antioxidant Effect of Hepatoprotective Drugs.- 14.6.1 Cyanidanol-3 and Lysosomal Enzyme Activity.- 14.6.2 Dihydroquinoline-type Antioxidants and Acute Liver Lesions.- 14.6.3 Effect of AICA Phosphate on Lymphocyte Populations in Chronic Active Hepatitis.- 14.6.4 Silymarin as a Free Radical Scavenger.- 14.7 Summary.- 15 Free Radical Reactions in Diseases of the Gastrointestinal Traet.- 15.1 Ischaemic Intestinal Disease.- 15.2 Necrotizing Enterocolitis.- 15.3 Inflammatory Intestinal Diseases.- 15.4 Radiation Injury of the Intestines.- 15.5 Gastric and Duodenal Ulcer.- 15.6 Acute Pancreatitis.- 15.7 Summary.- 16 Free Radical Pathogenesis of Amyloidosis.- 16.1 Summary.- 17 Diabetes Mellitus and Pathological Free Radical Reactions.- 17.1 Summary.- 18 Haematological Aspects.- 18.1 Unstable Haemoglobins.- 18.2 ?-Thalassaemia.- 18.3 Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency.- 18.4 Erythropoietic Protoperphyria.- 18.5 Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria.- 18.6 Iron Deficiency Anaemia.- 18.7 Spur Cell Anaemia.- 18.8 Abetalipoproteinaemia.- 18.9 Haemolytic Anaemia of the Newborn.- 18.10 Fanconi's anaemia.- 18.11 Summary.- 19 Free Radical Reactions in Neonatal Diseases.- 19.1 Neonatal Diseases Connected with Oxygen Toxicity.- 19.1.1 Haemolytic Disease.- 19.1.2 Retrolental Fibroplasia.- 19.1.3 Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.- 19.1.4 Hyaline Membrane Disease.- 19.1.5 Persistent Pulmenary Hypertension in Neonates.- 19.2 Hyperbilirubinaemia of Neonates.- 19.3 Summary.- 20 Free Radical Reactions in Infectious Diseases.- 20.1 Summary.- 21 Hormones and Free Radical Reactions.- 21.1 Summary.- 22 Ophthalmological Aspects.- 22.1 Summary.- 23 Free Radical Reactions in Muscular Dystrophy.- 23.1 Myotonic Dystrophy.- 23.2 Duchenne-type Muscular Dystrophy.- 23.3 Summary.- 24 Free Radical Reactions in Pyelonephritis, Uraemia and urological Diseases.- 24.1 Summary.- 25 Other Diseases: Down's Syndrome.- 25.1 Summary.- 26 The Role of Free Radical Reactions in Photobiology.- 26.1 Summary.- VII Defence Against Free Radical Reactions.- 1 Minimizing Exposure.- 2 Antioxidants.- 3 Summary.- Epilogue.- References.