Reactive oxygen species cerebral autoregulation in health and disease.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a family of oxygen-derived free radicals that are produced in mammalian cells under normal and pathologic conditions. Many ROS, such as the superoxide anion (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), act as cellular signaling molecules within blood vessels, altering mechanisms mediating mechanical signal transduction and autoregulation of cerebral blood flow. This article focuses on the actions of ROS, such as O2.- and H2O2, and how they influence mechanisms responsible for the modulation of pressure-induced myogenic tone in the cerebral circulation and blood flow autoregulation in response to elevated arterial pressure. ROS may be a key target for therapeutic interventions in pediatric patients who have hypoxic injury or altered cerebral metabolism induced by trauma or infection.
Terashvili
Maia
M
Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
Pratt
Phillip F
PF
Gebremedhin
Debebe
D
Narayanan
Jayashree
J
Harder
David R
DR
D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D007473:Ion Channels; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System