Free Radicals and Antioxidants: Role of Enzymes and

Nutrition

Abstract Free radicals are substances normally produced by the human body as one of the defense mechanisms
against harmful substances. When the rate of their production exceeds the antioxidant capacity of the body, oxidative
stress occurs. Oxidative stress carries harmful effects to all the body systems and is implicated in the pathogenesis of
various diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and cancer. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic
antioxidants play an important role in protection of the body against the harmful effec ts of free radicals.
Keywords: free radicals, antioxidants, enzymes, nutrition

1. Introduction
Oxygen is an element indispensable for life. When cells use oxygen to generate energy, free radicals are created as
a consequence of ATP production by the mitochondria. These products are called reactive oxygen species (ROS) that
result from the cellular redox process and play a dual role as both toxic and beneficial compounds. At low or
moderate levels, ROS exert beneficial effects on cellular responses and immune function. At high concentrations, they
generate oxidative stress, a deleterious process that can damage all cellular structures [1].
Oxidative stress plays a major part in the development of chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer,
arthritis, aging, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The human body has several
mechanisms to counteract oxidative stress by producing antioxidants, which are either naturally produced in situ, or
externally supplied through foods and/or supplements. Endogenous and exogenous antioxidants act as free radical
scavengers by preventing and repairing damages caused by ROS, and therefore can enhance the immune system and
lower the risk of cancer and degenerative diseases [2].

2. Characteristics of Free Radicals and

Oxidants
ROS are less stable than non-radical species, although their reactivity is generally stronger. A molecule with one or
more unpaired electron in its outer shell is called a free radical [3]. Free radicals include hydroxyl (OH), superoxide
(O2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), peroxyl (ROO) and lipid peroxyl (LOO). Also, hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2), ozone (O3), singlet oxygen, hypochlorous acid, nitrous acid (HNO 2), peroxynitrite, dinitrogen
trioxide and lipid peroxide are not free radicals and generally called oxidants, but can easily lead to free radical
reactions in living organisms [4].

3. Generation of Free Radicals and

Oxidants
Free radicals are generated from either endogenous or exogenous sources. Endogenous free radicals are generated
from immune cell activation, inflammation, mental stress, excessive exercise, ischemia, infection, cancer and aging.
Exogenous free radicals result from air and water pollution, cigarette smoking, alcohol, heavy metals, certain drugs
(cyclosporine, tacrolimus), industrial solvents, cooking and radiation. After penetration into the body, these exogenous
compounds are decomposed into free radicals [2].

4. Oxidative Stress and Their Deleterious

Activities
Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between formation and neutralization of free radicals. For example,
hydroxyl radical and peroxynitrite in excess can damage cell membranes and lipoproteins by a process called lipid
peroxidation. This reaction leads to the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated diene compounds,
which are cytotoxic and mutagenic. Lipid peroxidation occurs by a radical chain reaction, i.e. Once started, it spreads
rapidly and affects a great number of lipid molecules
5. Free Radicals and Cancer
Free radicals act as second messengers in the intracellular signalling cascades, which induce and maintain the
oncogenic phenotype of cancer cells. However, ROS can also induce cellular apoptosis and can therefore function as anti-
tumourigenic species. Oxidative stress is common for many types of cancer cells that are linked with altered redox
regulation of cellular signalling pathways. Oxidative stress was found in various cancer cells compared with normal cells;
the redox imbalance thus may be related to oncogenic stimulation [5]. DNA mutation is a critical step in carcinogenesis
and elevated levels of oxidative DNA lesions have been noted in various tumours, strongly implicating such damage in
the etiology of cancer. It appears that the DNA damage is predominantly linked with the initiation process. ROS activate
AP-1 (activator protein-1) and NF-kB (nuclear factor kappa B) signal transduction pathways, which in turn lead to the
transcription of genes involved in cell growth regulatory pathways. The role of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants
in the process of carcinogenesis as well as the antioxidant interactions with various regulatory factors, including NF-kB
and AP-1 suggest a strong relationship between reactive oxygen species & the development of cancer [1,6].

6. Antioxidants
An Antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions
can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by
removing radical intermediates and inhibiting other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. So, antioxidants
are often reducing agents such as thiols or polyphenols [7].
Although oxidation reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging; hence, plants and animals contain
various antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as enzymes such as catalase, superoxide
dismutase and peroxidases. Low levels of antioxidants or inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes causes oxidative stress
and may damage or kill cells [2].
The antioxidant defense systems function through blocking the initial production of free radicals, scavengering the
oxidants, converting the oxidants to less toxic compounds, blocking the secondary production of toxic metabolites or
inflammatory mediators, blocking the chain propagation of the secondary oxidants, repairing the molecular injury induced
by free radicals or enhancing the endogenous antioxidant defense system of the target. These defense mechanisms act
cooperatively to protect the body from oxidative stress.The antioxidant defense system consists of powerful enzymatic
and non-enzymatic antioxidants [1].

6.1. Enzymatic Antioxidants

All cells in the body contain powerful antioxidant enzymes. The three major classes of antioxidant enzymes are the
superoxide dismutases, catalases and glutathione (GSH) peroxidases. In addition, there are numerous specialized
antioxidant enzymes reacting with and detoxifying oxidants [2].
Superoxide dismutases (SODs)
They are a class of closely related enzymes that catalyse the breakdown of the superoxide anion into oxygen and
hydrogen peroxide [8]. They are present in almost all aerobic cells and in the extracellular fluids. They contain metal ions
that can be copper, zinc, manganese or iron. In humans, the copper/zinc superoxide dismutase is present in the cytosol,
while manganese superoxide dismutase is present in the mitochondria. There also exists a third form of superoxide
dismutase in extracellular fluids, which contains copper and zinc in its active sites [9]. Superoxide dismutase removes
O2. by catalyzing a dismutation reaction. In the absence of superoxide dismutase, this reaction occurs non-
enzymatically but at a very slow rate [10].
Catalase
Catalase (H2O2 oxidoreductase) is a tetramer of four polypeptide chains, each over 500 amino acids long, contains
four porphyrin heme (iron) groups that allow the enzyme to react with the hydrogen peroxide. Catalase can decompose
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in reactions catalyzed by two different modes of enzymatic activity :
the catalatic mode of activity (2H2O2 O2 + 2H2O) and
the peroxidatic mode of activity (H 2O 2 + AH2 A + 2H2O). Catalase has one of the highest turnover rates of all
enzymes; one molecule of catalase can convert millions of molecules of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen per
second. Decomposition of H2O2 by the catalatic activity of catalase follows the fashion of a first-order reaction and its
rate is dependent on the concentration of
H2O2 [2,11].
Catalase is an unusual enzyme since, although hydrogen peroxide is its only substrate, it follows a ping- pong
mechanism. Here, its cofactor is oxidised by one molecule of hydrogen peroxide and then regenerated by transferring the
bound oxygen to a second molecule of substrate [12].
Catalase is present in all prokaryotes and eukaryotes. With the exception of erythrocytes, it is predominantly located in
peroxisomes of all types of mammalian cells where H 2O 2 is generated by various oxidases. Since H 2O2 serves as a
substrate for certain reaction that generate the highly reactive hydroxyl radical, catalase is believed to play a role in
cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms by limiting the accumulation of H2O2 [13].
The role of catalase in defending cells and tissues against oxidative stress has been studied extensively. Overexpression
of catalase renders cells more resistant to toxicity of H 2O2 and oxidant-mediated injury. In addition, transgenic mice
overexpressing catalase are protected against myocardial injury following administration of adriamycin and development
of hypertension from treatment with norepinephrine or angiotensin. Catalase-deficient patients are phenotypically normal
with the exception of an increased tendency to development of progressive oral gangrene as a result of tissue damage
from H2O2 produced by peroxide-generating bacteria such as streptococci and pneumococci as well as by the phagocytic
cells at the sites of bacterial infection [14].

Thioredoxin and glutathione systems

The thioredoxin system contains thioredoxin protein and thioredoxin reductase [15]. Proteins related to thioredoxin
are present in all organisms. The active site of thioredoxin consists of two neighboring cysteines that can cycle between
an active dithiol form (reduced) and an oxidized disulfide form. In its active state, thioredoxin acts as an efficient
reducing agent that scavengers reactive oxygen species [16].
The glutathione system includes glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidases and glutathione S
-transferases. Glutathione peroxidase is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide and organic
hydroperoxides. Glutathione S- transferases are another class of glutathione -dependent antioxidant enzymes that show
high activity with lipid peroxides [17]. These enzymes are at high levels in the liver and also help in detoxification
metabolism [18].
Glutathione reductase (GR) is a crucial enzyme that reduces glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to the sulfhydryl form
(GSH) by the NADPH-dependent mechanism, an important cellular antioxidant system. Due to its significance, the
enzyme has been purified from a number of animals, plants and microbial sources and studied in an effort to identify and
explain its structure, kinetic mechanism and molecular properties [19]. Its kinetic mechanism is known to be a ping-
pong/sequential ordered model. GR is a flavoprotein that contains two FAD molecules as a prosthetic group, which is
reducible by NADPH. GR is one of the thermostable enzymes. GR belongs to the defense system protecting the organism
against chemical and oxidative stress. Deficiency of GR is characterized by hemolysis due to increased sensitivity of
erythrocyte membranes to H2O2 and contributes to oxidative stress which plays a key role in the pathogenesis of many
diseases [20].

6.2. Non- Enzymatic antioxidants

Ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is a monosaccharide antioxidant found in both animals and plants but cannot be
synthesised in humans and must be obtained from the diet. In cells, it is maintained in its reduced form by reaction with
glutathione. Ascorbic acid is a reducing agent that can reduce and thereby neutralize reactive oxygen species such as
hydrogen peroxide [19].
Glutathione
Glutathione is a cysteine -containing peptide found in most forms of aerobic life. It is not required in the diet and is
synthesized in cells. Glutathione has antioxidant properties since the thiol group in its cysteine is a reducing agent and
can be reversibly oxidized and reduced. In cells, glutathione is maintained in the reduced form by glutathione reductase
and in turn reduces other metabolites and enzymes as well as reacting directly with oxidants. Due to its high concentration
and its central role in maintaining the cell's redox state, glutathione is one of the most important cellular antioxidants
[20].
Tocopherols and tocotrienols (vitamin E)

Vitamin E (-tocopherol) is the most important lipid-soluble antioxidant and protects cell membranes against
oxidation by reacting with the lipid radicals produced in the lipid peroxidation chain reaction and removing the free
radical intermediates. Tocotrienols may have a specialised role in neuroprotection [21].
Beta-carotene
Carotenoids are compounds with lipophilic properties that have antioxidant functions in lipid phases. Beta-carotene
besides being a precursor to vitamin A has potent antioxidant properties as it removes singlet oxygen thus protects against
free radical attack. They are present in liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, spinach, carrots, tomato and grains [19].

7. Conclusion
There are numerous sources of free radicals that, in excess, may have deleterious effects on the human body.
Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants protect the body from these effects. Further studies are needed to explore the
molecular mechanisms by which antioxidants prevent the harmful effects of oxidative stress.
Competing Interests
The author has no competing interests.