Other Biomarkers

Oxidative stress is a state where a biological system has a diminished capacity to counteract an overproduction or invasion of reactive species (RS) and free radicals (FR). This process can deeply affect cell physiology and lead to multiple dysfunctions and serious injuries to tissues. Oxidative events are usually characterized using conventional biomarkers, which have been proven to have great benefit in multiple clinical settings. Meanwhile, several new biomarkers of oxidative stress have been identified. These include auto-antibodies, transcription factors, Nrf-2, NF-κB, repair system. Several reports emphasize the involvement of transcription factors in pathological processes mediated by oxidative stress which include the leakage of cell membranes, dysfunction of mitochondria, depletion of glutathione (GSH), disturbed redox states of cells, and the depletion of ATP. RS are now known to induce the production of auto-antibodies, which can be determined in blood samples. In response to these deleterious effects, repair systems are triggered and can also serve as remarkable indicators of oxidative deployment in cells. This chapter provides a good account of the new identified biomarkers of oxidative stress and the situations when these markers can have great value in clinical settings.