Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide range of chronic diseases. This document outlines key conditions linked to oxidative stress, the mechanisms involved, and supporting evidence.
| Disease / Condition | Role of Oxidative Stress in Pathogenesis | Notes / Evidence |
| Atherosclerosis | Oxidized LDL triggers macrophage activation, foam cell formation, and vascular inflammation, promoting plaque buildup. | ROS-mediated lipid oxidation is a hallmark; antioxidants show partial protection in studies. |
| Hypertension | ROS reduce nitric oxide availability, leading to endothelial dysfunction and increased vascular tone. | NADPH oxidase overactivity documented in hypertensive patients. |
| Diabetes Mellitus & Complications | Hyperglycemia increases ROS production, damaging beta cells, promoting insulin resistance, and worsening microvascular damage. | Elevated oxidative stress markers found in diabetic patients with nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy. |
| Neurodegenerative Diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS) | ROS damage neuronal membranes, DNA, and promote misfolding/aggregation of proteins like amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein. | Oxidative damage markers elevated in brain tissue and CSF of affected patients. |
| Cancer | ROS cause DNA mutations and promote pro-survival signaling; chronic inflammation fosters tumor progression. | Both carcinogenesis and tumor suppression roles depending on ROS level. |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | ROS contribute to glomerular and tubular injury, accelerate fibrosis, and worsen renal function decline. | Increased F2-isoprostanes and protein carbonyls seen in CKD patients. |
| COPD & Respiratory Diseases | Cigarette smoke and pollutants increase ROS burden in lung tissue, activating inflammatory pathways. | High oxidative stress linked with severity of airway remodeling. |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | ROS contribute to synovial inflammation, cartilage degradation, and bone erosion. | Oxidative stress biomarkers elevated in synovial fluid and serum of RA patients. |
| Aging | Cumulative oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids drives functional decline over time. | Free radical theory of aging partially supported by experimental data. |