Open Access

Role of oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Wen‑Juan Huang
    • Xia Zhang
    • Wei‑Wei Chen
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 15, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2016.630
  • Pages: 519-522
  • Copyright: © Huang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of disability in individuals aged >65 years worldwide. AD is characterized by the abnormal deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide, and intracellular accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated τ protein and dementia. The neurotoxic oligomer Aβ peptide, which is the neuropathological diagnostic criterion of the disease, together with τ protein, are mediators of the neurodegeneration that is among the main causative factors. However, these phenomena are mainly initiated and enhanced by oxidative stress, a process referring to an imbalance between antioxidants and oxidants in favour of oxidants. This imbalance can occur as a result of increased free radicals or a decrease in antioxidant defense, free radicals being a species that contains one or more unpaired electrons in its outer shell. The major source of potent free radicals is the reduction of molecular oxygen in water, that initially yields the superoxide radical, which produces hydrogen peroxide by the addition of an electron. The reduction of hydrogen peroxide produces highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, termed reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can react with lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and other molecules and may also alter their structures and functions. Thus, tissues and organs, particularly the brain, a vulnerable organ, are affected by ROS due to its composition. The brain is largely composed of easily oxidizable lipids while featuring a high oxygen consumption rate. The current review examined the role of oxidative stress in AD.
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May-2016
Volume 4 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 2049-9434
Online ISSN:2049-9442

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Spandidos Publications style
Huang WJ, Zhang X and Chen WW: Role of oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease (Review). Biomed Rep 4: 519-522, 2016
APA
Huang, W., Zhang, X., & Chen, W. (2016). Role of oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease (Review). Biomedical Reports, 4, 519-522. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2016.630
MLA
Huang, W., Zhang, X., Chen, W."Role of oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease (Review)". Biomedical Reports 4.5 (2016): 519-522.
Chicago
Huang, W., Zhang, X., Chen, W."Role of oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease (Review)". Biomedical Reports 4, no. 5 (2016): 519-522. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2016.630