Pathological Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress in Tissue Injury and Disease

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a key pathological mechanism involved in tissue injury and the development of a wide range of diseases. It arises from an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the capacity of cellular antioxidant defense systems to neutralize them. While reactive oxygen species play a physiological role in cell signaling and host defense, their excessive accumulation leads to damage of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, resulting in cellular dysfunction and death. From a pathological perspective, oxidative stress contributes to inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and activation of cell death pathways, thereby driving the progression of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. the mechanisms through which oxidative stress induces tissue injury and emphasizes its significance in disease pathogenesis and therapeutic targeting.