Biochemistry and Biotechnological Applications of Antioxidants

Dear Colleagues,

The biochemical relationships between oxidative stress, antioxidants, and chronic diseases are both complex and challenging. Basic research supports the idea that reactive oxygen species trigger changes that result in oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA biomolecules. These changes, closely linked to oxidative stress, are associated with the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sepsis, various eye diseases, and neurologic status. Recent research focuses on the use of antioxidants including the Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), vitamins, N-acetylcysteine, NADPH oxidase, and numerous polyphenols. Some of them have potential as anticancer drugs, and multiple therapeutic and biotechnological strategies have been explored in pre-clinical and clinical research studies. Incorporation of antioxidants in the diet seems a plausible approach to counter the effects of oxidative stress, but the optimal mode of delivery for these nutrients and the optimal quantities are still far from being fully understood. Moreover, conventional anticancer antioxidants and/or drugs suffer from, among others, the significant disadvantage of their low bioavailability, poor targeting efficiency, and serious side effects, constraining their use in the fight against diseases. Their use requires, therefore, the development of appropriate delivery systems to transfer the active antioxidants to target sites without difficulty during and after delivery.

To better understand the chemistry and biotechnological applications of antioxidants and their role of antioxidants in disease promotion and/or prevention, we are leading this Special Issue focused on—but not limited to—basic chemistry, biochemistry and biotechnological applications of antioxidants and their relationships with oxidative stress, antioxidant defense systems, their metabolism (vitamins E, C, A) and the interrelationships of antioxidants. Papers dealing with the chemistry and biochemistry of antioxidants, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense systems, the metabolism of antioxidants, the various ways of delivering antioxidants and with biotechnological applications of antioxidants are welcome. 

Prof. Dr. Carlos Bravo Díaz
Dr. Sonia Losada-Barreiro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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