THE ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM OF THE ORGANISM - THEORETICAL BASIS AND PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES

On the basis of the literature and our own investigations, the antioxi dant mechanisms and substances of the human organism are described and classified as compartmentalization, detoxification, repair and utiliz ation. The existence and the structure of an antioxidant system, which serves as support of the antioxidant homeostasis, are hypothesized. A parameter for characterizing the state of the antioxidant system and for detecting its changes under pathological conditions - the integral antioxidant capacity of blood plasma - and a method for its determina tion are suggested.