Nrf2 activation as target to implement therapeutic treatments

Velio Bocci, Giuseppe Valacchi, Velio Bocci, Giuseppe Valacchi

Abstract

A chronic increase of oxidative stress is typical of serious pathologies such as myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic limb ischemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), type II-diabetes, age-related macular degeneration leads to an epic increase of morbidity and mortality in all countries of the world. The initial inflammation followed by an excessive release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) implies a diffused cellular injury that needs to be corrected by an inducible expression of the innate detoxifying and antioxidant system. The transcription factor Nrf2, when properly activated, is able to restore a redox homeostasis and possibly improve human health.

Keywords: antioxidants; calorie restriction; oxidative stress; ozone; pathologies.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The use of alternative approaches, such as caloric restriction, exercise and healthy diet, together with the conventional medical treatments, could be useful to help patients restore and maintain their healthy physiological state. The homeostasis between the oxidant and antioxidant species is frequently perturbed in a number of human pathological conditions. Hence, the integrative approaches, able to re-establish the redox balance, could play a key role in restoring the cellular homeostasis and reduce the side effects of the orthodox medicine.

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