Fig. 1

Mechanisms involved in oxidative stress. ROS – reactive oxygen species, RNS – reactive nitrogen species. ROS and RNS are particles with unpaired electrons. During redox homeostasis, increased production of ROS is balanced by their elimination by endogenous and exogenous antioxidants. An imbalance between production of prooxidants and antioxidants in favour of prooxidants results in oxidative stress