Other Pathologies Related to Oxidative Stress

The imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant components is considered one of the most important mechanisms of cell dysfunction. The lack of equilibrium between these two entities may be responsible for the cause and/or consequences of multiple diseases. In most cases, free radicals (FR) are secondary to the disease process, but in some instances FR are the causal agents. It is now well established that oxidative stress (OS) causes extensive damage to cell components and can lead to a number of diseases including cancer and Wilson’s disease. Prolonged OS conditions also lead to the pathogenesis of external diseases such as skin and eye diseases to name a few. In this chapter, we present an update of the current evidence supporting the role of OS in cancer pathophysiology and tumor promotion, as well as the potential role of environmental oxidant agents in this disease. We also focus on the basic pathology induced by pro-oxidant environmental agents such as UV radiations in the induction of skin diseases. In addition, we investigate the role of OS in the pathogenesis of cataract. This chapter ends with the possible role of OS in urolithiasis and the beneficial role of α-tocopherol as an efficient protector to the membrane integrity against peroxidation.