ABSTRACT
In this introductory chapter, oxidative stress in diabetes and implications of antioxidant treatment are considered. It is thought that free radicals may play a major role in aging and disease. Free radicals arise from radiation, environ mental chemicals, cigarette smoke, and various other environmental sources. In addition, all through our life, we have a fire burning inside of us-our own body metabolism, which generates free radicals. Finally, many environmental substances (as well as drugs and alcohol) are metabolized in our body, generat ing free radicals through cytochrome P450-mediated oxidations. Many free radicals can be cytotoxic.
