Oxidative stress
is considered to be involved in a multitude of pathogenic processes
and is also implicated in the process of aging.
For the first time, scientists of the
German Cancer Research Center
(Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)
have been able to directly observe
oxidative changes in a living organism.
is considered to be involved in a multitude of pathogenic processes
and is also implicated in the process of aging.
For the first time, scientists of the
German Cancer Research Center
(Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)
have been able to directly observe
oxidative changes in a living organism.
Their findings in fruit
flies raise doubts about the validity of some widely held hypotheses:
The research team has found no evidence that the life span is limited by the production of
harmful oxidants.
The research team has found no evidence that the life span is limited by the production of
harmful oxidants.
Even though comprehensive studies have failed to provide proof until the
present day,
antioxidants are often advertised as a protection against oxidative stress and, thus, health-promoting.
Dick and colleagues fed their flies with
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC),
a substance which is attributed
an antioxidant effect
and which some scientists consider suitable for protecting the body against presumably dangerous oxidants.
Interestingly, no evidence of a decrease in oxidants was found in the NAC-fed flies.
On the contrary, the researchers were surprised to find that NAC prompted the energy plants of various tissues to significantly increase oxidant production.
antioxidants are often advertised as a protection against oxidative stress and, thus, health-promoting.
Dick and colleagues fed their flies with
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC),
a substance which is attributed
an antioxidant effect
and which some scientists consider suitable for protecting the body against presumably dangerous oxidants.
Interestingly, no evidence of a decrease in oxidants was found in the NAC-fed flies.
On the contrary, the researchers were surprised to find that NAC prompted the energy plants of various tissues to significantly increase oxidant production.
 |
| Yellow light signals emitted by the biosensor indicate oxidant
production in the tissue of a migrating fly larva. (Credit: Tobias Dick, German Cancer Research Center) |
"Many things we observed in the flies with the help of the biosensors
came as a surprise to us. It seems that many findings obtained in
isolated cells cannot simply be transferred to the situation in a living
organism," said Tobias Dick, summarizing their findings. "The example
of NAC also shows that we are currently not able to predictably
influence oxidative processes in a living organism by pharmacology," he
adds. "Of course, we cannot simply transfer these findings from fly to
man. Our next goal is to use the biosensors to observe oxidative
processes in mammals, especially in inflammatory reactions and in the
development of tumors."
Related blog post links for further textual matter:
http://sciencedoing.blogspot.in/2011/12/oxygen-necessary-evil.html
Following sites referred thankfully and reference for further detail:
#thankfully shared from http://www.sciencedaily.com
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