﻿ Cellular oxidation - PIAM farmaceutici s.p.a
Tel. +39 010.51862.1

Cellular oxidation

In our body, there are chemical processes constantly taking place which are fundamental to the life of cells that require energy and oxygen. While oxygen is fundamental for life it can, however, be a source of physiological damage with the formation of free radicals or ROS’s (Reactive Oxygen Species).

Free radicals are chemical compounds that tend to interact easily with other molecules, thereby developing chain reactions.

In physiological conditions, living organisms possess endogenous defence systems, which protect the body from attack by free radicals; such defence systems react with ROS’s before they can attack biological structures.

In the absence, however, of an adequate amount of antioxidants, or due to excessive exposure to highly reactive oxidizing molecules, the balance between free radicals and antioxidants may be disrupted. At this point, ROS’s are free to react quickly with structures that are essential to life, such as DNA, lipids and proteins, causing serious cellular damage and sometimes the death of cells themselves.
This triggers a situation of oxidative stress, which is responsible for significant damage, compromising the functionality of cells and tissues, and is associated with numerous chronic diseases, such as cardio-circulatory disorders (atherosclerosis, ischemia, stroke), diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s).

Furthermore, oxidative stress accelerates the cellular the ageing process since ROS’s attack cell membranes and damage them; these membranes thus become more permeable and lose their efficiency, with a consequent premature ageing of cells and tissues.

For this reason, then, it is important, in situations that could lead to a hyper-production of free radicals, to take antioxidants exogenously in order to support the organism: PIAM is committed to developing solutions in this area that are as natural and innovative as possible in order to give adequate support to patients who, due to chronic diseases or exposure to harmful substances, exhibit a high level of oxidative stress.