Nitrosative and oxidative stresses in respiratory diseases

Abstract

Respiratory diseases are accompanied by activation of free radical-related processes with enhancement and subsequent suppression of different parts of antioxidant defense. This could result in development of oxidative and nitrosative stresses. General mechanisms of development of oxidative and nitrosative stresses in respiratory diseases as well as antioxidant defense of respiratory system have been described in this review. Markers of oxidative and nitrosative stresses in different respiratory pathology were investigated. Oxidative and nitrosative stresses are multi-level processes with intricate regulation which are closely related to other physiological and pathophysiological processes. Investigation of mechanisms of oxidative and nitrosative stresses could improve diagnostics and contribute to development of new therapeutic approaches and agents.