Elements of Fundamentals of Oxidative Metabolism

Oxidative metabolism and redox homeostasis have been shown as an integral part of aerobic life. Research evidence has demonstrated that oxidative stress lies in the pathophysiological core of a plethora of human diseases. Antioxidants control autoxidation by suppressing the free radicals formation or by interrupting the free radicals propagation through several mechanisms. Mitochondria are the primary cellular organelles responsible for producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) through oxidative phosphorylation processes to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP). They are the central hubs of energy production, where oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor. The intricate processes underlying oxidative metabolism are fundamental to cellular energetics. Oxidative stress, characterized by an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant species, leads to molecular and cellular damage. In this chapter, we will describe the different categories of oxidants and free radicals.