How Do Pro-Oxidants Function in Biological Systems?
Pro-oxidants function by creating an imbalance in redox homeostasis. They can directly produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), or interfere with antioxidant defenses like glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. This imbalance can result in damage to cellular components, including lipids, proteins, and DNA, which may lead to cellular dysfunction and death.
