title: Micronutrients: oxidant/antioxidant status.
abstract: Potentially damaging species (reactive oxygen, nitrogen and chlorine species) arise as by-products of metabolism and as physiological mediators and signalling molecules. Levels of these species are controlled by the antioxidant defence system. Several components of this system are micronutrients (e.g. vitamins C and E) or are dependent upon dietary micronutrients (e.g. CuZn and Mn superoxide dismutase). The antioxidant defences act as a coordinated system where deficiencies in one component may affect the efficiency of the others. Oxidative stress may be an important factor in infection if micronutrients are deficient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College London, 98 Chenies Mews, London WC1E 6HX, UK. patricia.evans@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Halliwell
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000209:etiology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003300:Copper / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008274:Magnesium / Q000502:physiology; D008345:Manganese / Q000502:physiology; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000502:physiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000502:physiology; D015032:Zinc / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D018977:Micronutrients; D014810:Vitamin E; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc; D001205:Ascorbic Acid