Reactive oxygen species in health and disease

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

The traditional view of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as uniform toxicants has been superseded by the recognition of a fundamental radical/non-radical dichotomy. As radical and non-radical ROS differ in spatial and kinetic behaviors that dictate cellular impacts, understanding this dichotomy is essential for the design of ROS-targeting therapies. However, the roles of specific ROS types under physiological and pathological conditions remain inadequately defined, hindering precise clinical translation. By organizing ROS sources, neutralizing systems, reaction kinetics, biological effects, and therapeutic strategies along a radical versus non-radical axis, this review clarifies their unique and shared attributes to facilitate effective exploitation for health and disease management. Radical species, being short-lived and membrane-confined, operate locally at near-diffusion-limited rates, whereas non-radical species support compartment-transcending redox communication. Both types mediate beneficial eustress at low physiological levels, suitable for health promotion; yet provoke oxidative distress at high concentrations, forming the basis for numerous therapeutic applications. We examine how this radical versus non-radical dichotomy guides contemporary redox interventions. In health, while low-dose radicals enhance stress resilience and metabolic adaptation, non-radicals regulate p

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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