Extracellular superoxide dismutase in pulmonary fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Disruption of the oxidant/antioxidant balance in the lung is thought to be a key step in the development of many airway pathologies. Hence, antioxidant enzymes play key roles in controlling or preventing pulmonary diseases related to oxidative stress. The superoxide dismutases (SOD) are a family of enzymes that play a pivotal role protecting tissues from damage by oxidant stress by scavenging superoxide anion, which prevents the formation of other more potent oxidants such as peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radical. Extracellular SOD (EC-SOD) is found predominantly in the extracellular matrix of tissues and is ideally situated to prevent cell and tissue damage initiated by extracellularly produced ROS. EC-SOD has been shown to be protective in several models of interstitial lung disease, includ

SUBMITTER: Gao F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2290736 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature