Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Obesity-Related Tumorigenesis

Reactive oxygen species induce oxidative modification of critical macromolecules. Oxygen derived free radicals may act as potential cytotoxic intermediates inducing inflammatory and degenerative processes, or as signal messengers for the regulation of gene expression. This dual effect mainly depends on the availability of free radicals in terms of concentration, as well as on the environmental characteristics in which they are produced. The formation of free radicals has been proposed to be the linking factor between certain metabolic disturbances and cancer. Circulating mononuclear cells of patients with high cholesterol levels, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome or obesity present low…