A SURVEY OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AND THEIR ROLE IN DERMATOLOGY

General description In this paper we present a survey of the main reac tive oxygen species (ROS), their biological sources and the array of a ntioxidant enzymes and antiradical molecules which constitutes the cel lular defense against ROS toxicity. We outline also the fundamentals o f ROS biochemistry, in relation to the role of ROS in several human pa thologies. Finally, we discuss with particular emphasis the involvemen t of ROS in dermatological diseases, highlighting the possible therape utic application of antioxidants in skin care. Learning objective The reader will learn what ROS are, the identity of the anti-ROS defensive system in human cells and the manyfold roles of ROS in human physiopa thology, and thus the potential application of antioxidants in clinica l therapy. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.