An International Syaposiua on Free Radicals in Diagnostic Medicine was co-sponsored by the state University of New York at Buffalo, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and the Upstate NY Section of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry. The theme was "A Systems Approach To Laboratory Technology, Clinical Correlations And Antioxidant Therapy." The symposium was held on October 7-8, 1993 at the Hyatt Hotel and on October 9 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York. This proceedings volume contains chapters from platform presentations, poster sessions and from invited special lectures in the areas of basic science, clinical applications and efficacy of treatment. A Special Lecture on the relevance of free radical analysis to clinical medicine was presented by Professor Kunio Yagi of Japan. The Yagi procedure to measure thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction reflects the amount of reactive substances, lipid peroxides and aldehydes, in the sample. For example, normal subjects will have less than 4 nmol/ml of serum lipid peroxides, while a person with diabetes generally has equal or greater than 5.0 and a diabetic person with vascular complications often exceeds 7.5 nmol/ml. Serum TBA is a clinically important measure that relates to aging, gender and estrogen as an antioxidant, in the prognosis for vascular disorders, and in pathological conditions relative to the amount of lipid peroxidation. The BASIC SCIENCES portion of the program examined: "Mechanisms of Action, Pathophysiology and Laboratory Tests" in six presentations.

Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine has become a classic text in the field of free radical and antioxidant research. Now in its fifth edition, the book has been comprehensively rewritten and updated whilst maintaining the clarity of its predecessors. Two new chapters discuss 'in vivo' and 'dietary' antioxidants, the first emphasising the role of peroxiredoxins and integrated defence mechanisms which allow useful roles for ROS, and the second containing new information on the role of fruits, vegetables, and vitamins in health and disease. This new edition also contains expanded coverage of the mechanisms of oxidative damage to lipids, DNA, and proteins (and the repair of such damage), and the roles played by reactive species in signal transduction, cell survival, death, human reproduction, defence mechanisms of animals and plants against pathogens, and other important biological events. The methodologies available to measure reactive species and oxidative damage (and their potential pitfalls) have been fully updated, as have the topics of phagocyte ROS production, NADPH oxidase enzymes, and toxicology. There is a detailed and critical evaluation of the role of free radicals and other reactive species in human diseases, especially cancer, cardiovascular, chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. New aspects of ageing are discussed in the context of the free radical theory of ageing. This book is recommended as a comprehensive introduction to the field for students, educators, clinicians, and researchers. It will also be an invaluable companion to all those interested in the role of free radicals in the life and biomedical sciences.

The current book entitled Free Radicals, Antioxidants, and Diseases gives an idea of detecting free radicals in vivo by newer techniques and provides insights into the roles played by various antioxidants in combating diseases caused by oxidative stress. The chapters included in this volume showcase new investigation in this field by the research groups around the world.

Although free radicals perform some useful immune functions, they can also damage healthy cells through a process called oxidation. Antioxidants reduce the effect of free radicals by binding together with these harmful molecules, decreasing their destructive power. This book highlights various issues of free radical biology from the perspective of antioxidant defense mechanisms. It also provides useful information on gene modulation, radiation-generated reactive oxygen species-induced apoptosis in cancer, and environmental aspects associated with free radicals’ exposure on living systems.

The role of reactive oxygen species and other free radicals in normal and disease processes has become a major area of interest in the medical scientific community. In the past 30 years, this area of study has advanced from outright rejection, to general acceptance, to intense study. While there is still some dispute as to the exact role of these highly reactive molecules in pathology, it is clear that they are present in and influence many biological processes. This book provides an overview of the possible biological effects of reactive oxygen species and other free radicals with an emphasis on pathology. The various types of free radicals that may affect the body are discussed along with the potential sources of free radicals, both internal and external to the body. The extensive defenses the body raises against the effects of these molecules in the form of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants is reviewed. A variety of conditions in which free radicals have been proposed to play a role are discussed. These include the physiological effects of oxygen stress in aging, exercise, and pregnancy. Pathologic conditions discussed include cancer, liver cirrhosis, respiratory problems, and others.

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.

Twenty years ago, the enzyme superoxide dismutase which uses the superoxide radical anion as its specific substrate was reported. With this discovery was born a new scientific field, in which oxygen, necessary for aerobi c 1 ife on thi s planet, had to be cons i dered also in terms of its toxicity and stresses. This stimulated the search for knowledge of active oxygen species in biology and medicine. Superoxide and other reactive oxygen species are now implicated in many disease processes. Major advances have been achieved during these past years with respect to free radical generation and mechanisms of free radical action in causing tissue injury. In parallel, the possibil ity of influencing free radical related disease processes by antioxidant treatment was studied in various in vitro and in vivo systems. This was the unique theme of a conference organized in Paris by the Society for Free Radical Research (December 9-10, 1988) which brought together experts from basic sciences and clinicians in order to evaluate the current status of antioxidant therapy. The conference emphasized fundamental processes in antioxidant action. Among the major topics were superoxide dismutase (SOD) and low molecular weight substances with such activity, called SOD mimics. Other antioxidant enzymes were also considered. Antioxidant vitamins, in particular vitamins E and C, other naturally occurri ng antioxidants and vari ous synthet i c antioxidants were included in the presentations as there is now a rapidly developing series of compounds with potentially interesting clinical applications.