Are free radicals and reactive oxygen species relevant to dermatopathology? Do antioxidants protect against free-radical-mediated cutaneous diseases and aging? To these and further current questions in the rapidly progressing field of basic and applied skin research, this up-to-date volume provides a scientific basis. It presents state-of-the-art reviews on the progress in detection of free radicals and antioxidants and their responses to environmental oxidative stressors. Furthermore, several expert contributions focus on the exciting developments in oxidative DNA damage and UVB- and UVA-induced signal transduction in skin. Finally, information is given on new antioxidant protection strategies against skin carcinogenesis and skin aging which may be fundamental for the pharmaceutical or skin-care products of tomorrow. Due to its unique and up-to-date collection of state-of-the-art contributions by many of the world's leading scientists in the field, this book will be essential reading for dermatologists, cosmetologists, pharmacologists and environmental toxicologists.

Oxidants, like other aspects of life, involves tradeoffs. Oxidants, whether intentionally produced or by-products of normal metabolism can either mediate a variety of critical biological processes but when present inappropriately cause extensive damage to biological molecules (DNA, proteins, and lipids). These effects can lead to either damage that is a major contributor to aging and degenerative diseases (or to other diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, immune-system decline, brain dysfunction, and cataracts) or normal physiological function- tissue repair, defense against pathogens and cellular proliferation. On the other hand the body is equipped with a complex antioxidant/oxidant handling system which includes both enzymatic and nonenzymatic (i.e. small molecules such as flavonoids, ascorbate, tocopherol, and carotenoids) produced endogenously or derived from the diet. This book focuses on how the same molecules can have favorable or noxious effects depending on location, level and timing. Each chapter focuses on one particular molecule or oxidant/antioxidant system and provides a state of the art review of the current understanding regarding both positive and negative actions of the system under review.

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Protection: The Science of Free Radical Biology and Disease Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Protection begins with a historical perspective of pioneers in oxidative stress with an introductory section that explains the basic principles related to oxidative stress in biochemistry and molecular biology, demonstrating both pathways and biomarkers. This section also covers diagnostic imaging and differential diagnostics. The following section covers psychological, physiologic, pharmacologic and pathologic correlates. This section addresses inheritance, gender, nutrition, obesity, family history, behavior modification, natural herbal-botanical products, and supplementation in the treatment of disease. Clinical trials are also summarized for major medical disorders and efficacy of treatment, with particular focus on inflammation, immune response, recycling, disease progression, outcomes and interventions. Each of the chapters describes what biomarker(s) and physiological functions may be relevant to a concept of specific disease and potential alternative therapy. The chapters cover medical terminology, developmental change, effects of aging, senescence, lifespan, and wound healing, and also illustrates cross-over exposure to other fields. The final chapter covers how and when to interpret appropriate data used in entry level biostatistics and epidemiology. Authored and edited by leaders in the field, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Protection will be an invaluable resource for students and researchers studying cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry, as well professionals in various health science fields.

In our first protocols book, Free Radical and Antioxidant Protocols (1), r- erence to in vivo, ex vivo, or in situ techniques were few compared to classical biochemical assays and only 6 of the 40 chapters were concerned with these applications. In our second book, Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Antioxidant Protocols (2), which is being published concurrently with this third volume, Oxidants and Antioxidants: Ultrastructure and Molecular Biology Protocols, the number of such chapters has increased. The literature dealing with histoche- cal/cytochemical and immunohistochemical techniques and staining to identify cellular/subcellular sites of oxidative stress has expanded rapidly, as has the molecular biology methodology used to analyze free radical and antioxidant (AOX) reactions, as well as the monitoring of living tissue. A two-way search was performed for each technique listed in Table 1, coupled with “oxidative stress” using the PUBMED search engine from the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Most of the techniques involved in m- suring oxidative stress employ molecular biology or ultrastructural approaches. Of these techniques, histology, polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting are the most widely used. Several forms of therapy are now available for patients with increased oxidative stress. In addition to standard antioxidant therapy supplementation in vivo and in vitro, photodynamic therapy (PDT) employs excitation of a photon-emitting compound delivered systemically for free radical-mediated necrosis of affected tissues, and stem cells are also being used to induce signaling events or replace antioxidant enzymes.

This volume provides a comprehensive treatment of the latest research on oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in all types of aerobic organisms. This book investigates oxidative stress in prokaryotes, protists, plants, fungi, vertebrates, and invertebrates, stimulating cross-fertilization among diverse fields. In addition, it explains the basic science of oxygen activation and oxidative stress as a foundation for more advanced material, making this book useful as a resource for both specialists and non-specialists.

Life on earth utilizes oxygen and oxygen metabolites in energy conversion, and the constant generation of prooxidants is an essential attribute to aerobic life. This challenge is met by a system of antioxidants in order to maintain a steady state; a disturbance in the prooxidant/antioxidant system is defined as oxidative stress.**In recent years oxidants and antioxidants have attracted widespread interest in many scientific disciplines ranging from free radical chemistry to biochemistry, biology, pharmacology, toxicology, and medicine. This book highlights some of the fascinating research developments in the field, including occurrence of oxidants, defense against oxidants, processes and cell responses, and clinical aspects of oxidative stress. Occurrence of oxidants**Defense against oxidants**Processes and cell response**The role of research in the area of clinical medicine