1. Production of reactive oxygen species.
Production of reactive oxygen species. Sequential addition of electrons (e−) to oxygen results in the formation of reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion (O2−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical (OH·). O2− can combine with nitric oxide (NO·) to form peroxynitrite (ONOO-). Both O2− and OH− can initiate lipid peroxidation to form lipid peroxides (ROO·) that can propagate free radical chain reactions.
W. MacNee Eur Respir Rev 2005;14:12-22
©2005 by European Respiratory Society