ABSTRACT
Numerous initiators of free radical-mediated processes, lipid peroxidation, oxidative destruc-
tion of proteins and DNA, cell damage, and others are now well known. Among them are free
radicals, transition metals, pollutants, drugs, food components, radiation, and even magnetic
field. Despite a great number of initiators, all of them are the producers of free radicals, such
as superoxide, hydroxyl radical, perhydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide. We will discuss many
of these species and their major reactions excluding the effects of UV, visible, and high-energy
radiation, which are mainly relevant to the field of radiation biology.
