Oxidative injury and inflammatory periodontal diseases: The challenge of antioxidants to free radicals and reactive oxygen species

In recent years, there has been a tremendous expansion in medical and denta l research concerned with free radicals, reactive oxygen species, and anti- oxidant defense mechanisms. This review is intended to provide a critical, up-to-dale summary of the field, with particular emphasis on its implicatio ns for the application of "anti-oxidant therapy" in periodontal disease. We have reviewed the nomenclature, mechanisms of actions, features, and sourc es of most common free radicals and reactive oxygen species, as well as ana lyzed the typical biological targets for oxidative damage. Based on a revie w of direct and indirect anti-oxidant host defenses, particularly in relati on to the key role of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in periodontitis, we re view current evidence for oxidative damage in chronic inflammatory periodon tal disease, and the possible therapeutic effects of anti-oxidants in treat ing and/or preventing such pathology, with special attention to vitamin E a nd Co-enzyme Q.