Published in:
01-10-2006 | Editorial
The world according to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)—update 2006
Authors:
Eberhard Barth, Peter Radermacher, Csaba Szabó
Published in:
Intensive Care Medicine
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Issue 10/2006
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Excerpt
Oxidative stress is characterised by an imbalance between reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and antioxidant defence mechanisms. The overwhelming production of ROS/RNS results in tissue damage, lipid peroxidation of cell membranes, protein oxidation and changes in DNA (strand breaks and base modifications) and represents a major pathway that contributes to the pathogenesis of many acute and chronic diseases, such as ischaemia/reperfusion injury, systemic inflammation/septic shock, diabetes, stroke and arthritis. In this context, a central role is played by peroxynitrite, which is a potent trigger of DNA strand breakage with subsequent activation of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). …