title: Oxygen species and overuse tendinopathy in athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the current concepts on tendon damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS). We suggest that tendons are subject to reactive oxygen generated both within the vicinity of the tendon and from the tenocytes themselves.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted to trace relevant literature on tendon damage and ROS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tendinopathies have a complex aetiology. Tendon physiology and structure may preclude ROS involvement in various aspects of the predisposition to and participation in a failed healing response process and subsequent response to injury. However, given the ubiquitous nature of ROS production and their now accepted involvement in signal transduction, such highly active chemicals may influence signal transduction in the tendon. Therefore, the tendon is continually exposed to ROS during normal and athletic exercise which, in combination with lifestyle and possibly hereditary factors, may influence tendon integrity and orchestrate tendon repair.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The production of ROS by tenocytes may be a response to hyperthermia and to repetitive ischaemia/reperfusion, and may influence the development of tendinopathies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Campus Biomedico University, Via Longoni, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Umile Giuseppe
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Olivia
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Denaro
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000502:physiology; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species