In the past few years there has been the increased recognition that the effects of oxidative stress are not limited to the damage of cellular constituents. There is now evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS) can alter cell function by acting upon the intermediates, or second messengers, in signal transductions. Such effects on signaling mechanisms probably account for the role of oxidative stress in inflammation, aging, and cancer. This volume brings together internationally recognized researchers in both the major areas covered by the book, oxidative stress and signal transduction. The work is organized in three sections. The first deals with the immediate cellular responses to oxidative stress and the production of second messengers. The second details the connection between second messengers and the gene. The third part looks more closely at the level of the gene.

Plants depend on physiological mechanisms to combat adverse environmental conditions, such as pathogen attack, wounding, drought, cold, freezing, salt, UV, intense light, heavy metals and SO2. Many of these cause excess production of active oxygen species in plant cells. Plants have evolved complex defense systems against such oxidative stress. The

With contributions that review research on this topic throughout the world, Oxidative Damage to Plants covers key areas of discovery, from the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROSs), their mechanisms, quenching of these ROSs through enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, and detailed aspects of such antioxidants as SOD and CAT. Environmental stress is responsible for the generation of oxidative stress, which causes oxidative damage to biomolecules and hence reduces crop yield. To cope up with these problems, scientists have to fully understand the generation of reactive oxygen species, its impact on plants and how plants will be able to withstand these stresses. - Provides invaluable information about the role of antioxidants in alleviating oxidative stress - Examines both the negative effects (senescence, impaired photosynthesis and necrosis) and positive effects (crucial role that superoxide plays against invading microbes) of ROS on plants - Features contributors from a variety of regions globally

Since the appearance of photosynthesis on our planet, all living organisms have been facing a new abundant, extremely reactive element, oxygen. This element is used for the synthesis of highly energetic compounds, but can also generate molecules capable of damaging constituents of living structures, including proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. It is therefore no surprise that all biological organisms have evolved multiple and sophisticated ways to reduce the detrimental effects of oxygen. For cells and tissues of highly organized animals, particularly cells of the immune system, superoxidation products play an important role, via oxidative stress, in activation, inflammation and viral and bacterial infections. We must be grateful to Drs. C. Pasquier, C. Auclair, L. Packer and R. Olivier for having brought together many specialists in an international meeting held in Paris in March 1993, at the Ministry of Research. This book comprises an impressive amount of recent knowledge, a real mine for the reader in this fast developing field of research. Furthermore, we should not forget that this basic research may lead in the future to new therapeutic approaches to the most important pathologies of the latter part of this century, including AIDS.

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of various diseases when there is a disruption of the intracellular redox balance and the homeostatic balance between cellular oxidants and antioxidants. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) react with molecular targets including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids contributing to mitochondrial injury and cellular dysfunction. This book intends to provide the readers with an extensive overview of the novel approaches and prospects based on oxidative and nitrosative stress in the pathophysiology of various diseases and in the current treatment strategies with antioxidants.

Thoroughly revised and updated, this Third Edition encompasses the most recent advances in molecular and cellular research and describes the newest therapeutic modalities for type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Chapters by leading experts integrate the latest basic science and clinical research on diabetes mellitus and its complications. The text is divided into ten major sections, including extensive sections on therapeutics, diabetes during pregnancy, and complications. New chapters cover stem cell therapy for type 1 diabetes; genetics and treatment of obesity; new therapies to promote insulin action; vasculopathy; islet cell protocols; triglycerides in muscle; hypoglycemia in the adult; and the Diabetes Prevention Program.

Many physiological conditions such as host defense or aging and pathological conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes are associated with the accumulation of high levels of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. This generates a condition called oxidative stress. Low levels of reactive oxygen species, however, which are continuously produced during aerobic metabolism, function as important signaling molecules, setting the metabolic pace of cells and regulating processes ranging from gene expression to apoptosis. For this book we would like to recruit the experts in the field of redox chemistry, bioinformatics and proteomics, redox signaling and oxidative stress biology to discuss how organisms achieve the appropriate redox balance, the mechanisms that lead to oxidative stress conditions and the physiological consequences that contribute to aging and disease.