As an antioxidant role of zinc, conflicting reports are pouring. It is recognized that Zn has prominent role in reducing oxidative stress by scavenging and decreasing production of ROS. On the other hand, there are reports that Zn in hypoxia can activate NADPH oxidase by acting as phosphorylation modulator and thereby initiate ROS accumulation. I seek kind proper explanation from the researchers in this regard.
Dear Dr. Dipak KUMAR Chattopadhyay
The actions of zinc are not straightforward owing to its numerous roles in biological systems. Zinc is known for its dual action, as either an antioxidant or a prooxidant, and the conditions under which each role is performed.
Zinc, an essential metal for life, plays important roles as an antioxidant to combat and suppress oxidative stress. However, please note that both zinc deficiency and zinc overload could contribute to oxidative stress.
Zinc homeostasis plays an important role in physiological functions. Disturbance of zinc homeostasis leads to various diseases. Hypoxic condition may induce abnormally high concentration of zinc accumulation. Intracellular zinc and ROS are intimately related. Zinc impairs mitochondrial function, leading to excessive ROS production, but it can also activate a variety of extra-mitochondrial ROS-generating signaling cascades. Zinc could act on mitochondria to increase superoxide production and induce NADPH oxidase activation.
Best regards,
Malcolm Nobre
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Phytochemistry
- Extracts