A survey of reactive oxygen species and their role in dermatology

General description In this paper we present a survey of the main reactive oxygen species (ROS), their biological sources and the array of antioxidant enzymes and antiradical molecules which constitutes the cellular defense against ROS toxicity. We outline also the fundamentals of ROS biochemistry, in relation to the role of ROS in several human pathologies. Finally, we discuss with particular emphasis the involvement of ROS in dermatological diseases, highlighting the possible therapeutic application of antioxidants in skin care. Learning objective The reader will learn what ROS are, the identity of the anti-ROS defensive system in human cells and the manyfold roles of ROS in human physiopathology, and thus the potential application of antioxidants in clinical therapy. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.