Harmful and Beneficial Role of ROS 2017.

Insulin resistance and diabetes in hyperthyroidism: a possible role for oxygen and nitrogen reactive species.

In addition to insulin, glycemic control involves thyroid hormones. However, an excess of thyroid hormone can disturb the blood glucose equilibrium, leading to alterations of carbohydrate metabolism and, eventually, diabetes. Indeed, experimental and clinical hyperthyroidism is often accompanied by abnormal glucose tolerance. A common characteristic of hyperthyroidism and type 2 diabetes is the altered mitochondrial efficiency caused by the enhanced production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. It is known that an excess of thyroid hormone leads to increased oxidant production and mitochondrial oxidative damage. It can be hypothesised that these species represent the link between hype…

Oxidant antioxidants and adaptive responses to exercise.

The extensive damage produced by unaccustomed (acute) exercise and the health benefits of regular physical activity are well-known phenomena as well as the role played in them by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present issue reports some interesting studies showing that the Janus faced effects of exercise-induced ROS in skeletal muscle. Most studies dealing with ROS contribution to acute exercise-induced tissue damage determine the levels of markers of oxidative damage to specific substances but they do not take into account total redox status of an individual before and after exercise. In their research article D. Stagos et al. used markers measuring plasma static (sORP) and capacity (c…