[Current status of redox markers in immunological and inflammatory diseases]

Overloads of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical, that exceed the capacity of antioxidant systems induce oxidative stress in the body. Accumulating evidence suggests that ROS play a critical role in the pathogenesis of immunological and inflammatory diseases. Excessive exposure to ROS is the hallmark of oxidative stress and leads to damage of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Recently, specific redox (i.e., reduction/oxidation) biomarkers for oxidative damage and antioxidant defenses have been introduced into the field of clinical and laboratory medicine. This brief review discusses the rapidly accruing data linking oxidative events as critical participants in immunological and inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and diabetes mellitus. Data from our recent clinical and experimental studies are presented. Studies evaluating the efficacy of antioxidant substances in the prevention and treatment of the diseases are reviewed, and suggestions are made for the direction of future studies.