Oxidative Stress
What is Oxidative Stress?
Before and after oxidation procces.
Oxidative stress is a phenomenon that occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and the ability of cellular defenses to manage them.
ROS are molecules naturally produced during cellular metabolism, as part of the process by which cells generate energy. These molecules can interact with various cellular components, including DNA, proteins, and cell membranes, and their accumulation can lead to molecular-level changes.
When ROS production is high and internal defenses are insufficient, oxidative stress occurs. Simply put, oxidative stress reflects oxidative activity within the cells—a natural phenomenon that occurs over time and is associated with cellular function.
This process is one of the reasons why antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD, and other antioxidant defense systems are of interest in the study of functional ingredients and nutritional or cosmetic products.
At the cellular level, oxidative stress reflects an increase in oxidative activity within cells, resulting from the accumulation of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species). This process occurs naturally during cellular metabolism and can induce molecular-level changes over the course of life.
The study of oxidative stress is relevant for ingredients with antioxidant activity, such as SOD, which are part of antioxidant defense systems in supplements and cosmetic products, without implying direct effects on consumer health.
How Oxidative Stress is produced?
Oxidative stress occurs continuously in the body. Millions of metabolic processes take place at any given moment and can generate oxidative damage. As we age, the body may face greater challenges in maintaining balance against these processes.
Why is Oxidative Stress important?
Oxidative stress occurs naturally in the body, and when it increases, it can influence cellular balance. Peer-reviewed scientific studies have examined oxidative stress in relation to various physiological processes, including cardiovascular function, fertility, auditory function, cognitive performance, joint health, and skin, among others.
Additionally, research in experimental models has shown that genetic modifications associated with greater resistance to oxidative stress are linked to increased longevity. Therefore, nutritional strategies that support balance against reactive oxygen species are of interest for the development of ingredients and formulations aimed at promoting overall wellness and functional support.
How can balance against oxidative stress be supported?
One of the body’s primary natural mechanisms is the enzymesuperoxide dismutase (SOD) Present in all forms of life exposed to oxygen, SOD has helped protect living organisms from oxidation for over 2 billion years.
SOD plays a key role in regulating the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), helping to maintain cellular balance against oxidative processes.
Studies of Oxidative Stress
TetraSOD® is an ingredient that can activate the transcription factor Nrf2, a key pathway in regulating the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular antioxidant systems. Activation of Nrf2 influences the expression of numerous genes associated with cytoprotective functions, including the endogenous production of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and GPx. SOD, the active component of TetraSOD®, participates in the neutralization of ROS and remains active to interact with new reactive molecules. This mechanism has attracted growing interest among researchers and industry professionals exploring innovative approaches to supporting cellular antioxidant balance.What is Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)?
Superoxide dismutases (SOD) are key enzymes in the regulation of cellular antioxidant balance, representing one of the main enzymatic systems against free radicals. SOD catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide anion into hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which is subsequently converted into water (H₂O) and molecular oxygen (O₂) by accessory enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT).
These enzymes are present across all taxonomic groups of living organisms, from prokaryotes (archaea and bacteria) to eukaryotes, varying in the number of isoforms present. All known SODs are metalloenzymes, meaning they require a metallic cofactor for activity, typically iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), or manganese (Mn).
TetraSOD® exhibits one of the highest SOD activities identified in nature. Thanks to the production technology developed by Fitoplancton Marino, levels exceeding 30,000 IU/g of dry biomass have been measured. Detailed genetic studies of the microalga Tetraselmis chuii have identified three genes encoding different SOD isoforms (Mn, Cu-Zn, and Ni), whose combined action contributes to the extremely high total activity observed in TetraSOD®.
