Abstract
Potentially damaging species (reactive oxygen, nitrogen and chlorine species) arise as by-products of metabolism and as physiological mediators and signalling molecules. Levels of these species are controlled by the antioxidant defence system. Several components of this system are micronutrients (e.g. vitamins C and E) or are dependent upon dietary micronutrients (e.g. CuZn and Mn superoxide dismutase). The antioxidant defences act as a coordinated system where deficiencies in one component may affect the efficiency of the others. Oxidative stress may be an important factor in infection if micronutrients are deficient.
MeSH terms
-
Antioxidants / metabolism*
-
Arthritis, Rheumatoid / etiology
-
Ascorbic Acid / adverse effects
-
Ascorbic Acid / physiology
-
Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
-
Copper / adverse effects
-
Copper / physiology
-
Deficiency Diseases / metabolism*
-
Developing Countries*
-
Disease Susceptibility
-
HIV Infections / metabolism
-
Humans
-
Iron / adverse effects
-
Iron / metabolism
-
Magnesium / physiology
-
Manganese / physiology
-
Micronutrients / physiology*
-
Nutritional Status*
-
Oxidative Stress
-
Virus Diseases / metabolism
-
Vitamin E / physiology
-
Zinc / physiology
Substances
-
Antioxidants
-
Micronutrients
-
Vitamin E
-
Manganese
-
Copper
-
Iron
-
Magnesium
-
Zinc
-
Ascorbic Acid