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FOREWORD

Free radicals and other reactive oxygen species are continuously generated and removed in all aerobic organisms even under normal conditions. However, changes in the intracellular steady-state concentrations of these molecules affect several cellular processes, like signal transduction, activation of transcriptional factors and the expression of numerous genes. In this way, the so called “oxidative stress” modulates basic cellular functions, like cell proliferation and differentiation.
Considering this central role of the redox-status in intracellular events, it is not surprising that oxidative stress has been proposed to be implicated in more than 100 pathological conditions in humans and animals. Consequently, the possibility exists that achieving and maintaining the redox-equilibrium at normal levels may be used for preventive or even therapeutic purposes. However, the possibility for these attempts to be successful will remain low as far as our knowledge on basic molecular mechanisms of action of free radicals remains limited.
The present book is the result of a meeting of the “Society of Free Radical Research – Europe” in Ioannina, Greece, June 26 to 29, 2003. Specific chapters on redox-signaling, apoptosis, iron and oxidative stress, antioxidants, biomarkers in oxidative damage and oxidants in pathophysiological conditions are presented. We were aware from the beginning that it is not possible to cover all specific aspects of this continuously expanding scientific area. However, we hope that our effort may stimulate the interest for search in anticipation of discovering new, previously unimagined, answers concerning the interrelationship between oxidative stress and pathological conditions.
On behalf of the Organizing Committee

Dimitrios Galaris, Ph.D.
 

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