[Role of active forms of oxygen generated by phagocytes in the pathogenesis of diseases]

The review deals with the analysis of the properties of active forms of oxygen (AFO), generated by phagocytic cells, and their role in the development of a number of human diseases. Bacterial and viral infections contribute to the activation of the oxidizing metabolism of phagocytes. In the process of this metabolism the formation of toxic oxygen and nitrogen metabolites occurs. The defect of the system of activation calls prolonged microbial persistence whose most severe manifestation is chronic granulomatosis. On the contrary, the uncontrolled production of oxidants cause tissue lesions. The role of AFO in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, peptic ulcer, the syndrome of respiratory insufficiency and bronchial asthma is discussed.