Oxidative stress: a common denominator in every pathogenesis

Abstract

As medical doctors, we are expected to be the champions of health and the slayers of disease. Essential to the success of this battle is an understanding of, and insight into, the chemistry that allows you the opportunity of reading this article. It is not sufficient to name the parts. It is imperative that we understand how the parts work, the processes that lead to malfunctions, and how these malfunctions appear as signs and symptoms to which we eventually give a label. We have concentrated on the results of biological processes gone awry. It is time to deal with the causes.