ABSTRACT
Oxidation involves, as is obvious to chemists, an acceptance of electrons by electron donor compounds, known as oxidizing agents or free radicals. The new compound is now in a lower redox (reduction-oxidation) state, or more oxidized state, than the compound was before the acceptance of electrons occurred. These extra electrons, however, are not particularly stable in their position, and thus the new oxidized compound seeks out other compounds on which to donate or “dump” its electrons. These newer compounds consequently seek out even more compounds on which to relieve themselves of their electrons, and the process becomes a kind of runaway positive-feedback process toward greater oxidation of compounds. In a biological system, such as a human brain, liver, or kidney, the process may be nothing less than catastrophic. Fortunately, though, all these systems (but unfortunately also systems defined as “cancers” or “neoplasms”) possess antioxidant defense mechanisms, which we now know are mediated by genes that are turned on or activated by a specialized gene-protein cascade known as Nrf2. This system can reverse the effects of oxidation and “reduce” compounds that have already been oxidized, relieving them of their extra electrons, and in turn can donate protons, which are positively charged hydrogen atoms (lacking an electron). The movement back and forth of electrons and protons between compounds is known as redox cycle and determines the overall redox potential. Redox modulation is a key chemical mechanism that further regulates many physiological processes at all levels in both health and disease. Although we stress the importance of antioxidants for maintaining health and fighting (or healing) disease, sometimes oxidation is a desirable process both for overcoming pathology (as occurs by free radicals interfering with cancer cell growth) or for triggering normal and desired physiological processes, as occurs in the regulation of ovulation and the succeeding events in the female reproductive cycle. In short, a certain amount of strategic oxidation is sometimes required in medicine, and the wise physician works with the wisdom of the body to achieve this goal.
