Traumatic brain injury and NADPH oxidase: a deep relationship.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents one of the major causes of mortality and disability in the world. TBI is characterized by primary damage resulting from the mechanical forces applied to the head as a direct result of the trauma and by the subsequent secondary injury due to a complex cascade of biochemical events that eventually lead to neuronal cell death. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the genesis of the delayed harmful effects contributing to permanent damage. NADPH oxidases (Nox), ubiquitary membrane multisubunit enzymes whose unique function is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), have been shown to be a major source of ROS in the brain and to be involved in several neurological diseases. Emerging evidence demonstrates that Nox is upregulated after TBI, suggesting Nox critical role in the onset and development of this pathology. In this review, we summarize the current evidence about the role of Nox enzymes in the pathophysiology of TBI.
Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, C.so Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy.
Cristina
0000-0002-6731-6187
C
Angeloni
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
Cecilia
C
Prata
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
Francesco Vieceli
FV
Dalla Sega
Neurorehabilitation Unit, Emergency Department, AUSL of Bologna, Via B. Nigrisoli 2, 40133 Bologna, Italy.
Roberto
R
Piperno
Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, C.so Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy.
Silvana
S
Hrelia
D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D019255:NADPH Oxidases