Oxidants also play an important positive role in the immune system.
We live in an oxygen-rich environment and use oxygen to extract energy from food. As a corollary of this, oxygen radicals are released. The production and control of reactive oxidants, therefore, are integral life processes. However, these can be disrupted and oxidative stress contributes to many diseases including inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, heart attack and stroke. The general objective of the theme is to understand the specific mechanisms of oxidative injury in these conditions and determine whether antioxidant intervention is protective.