Mechanisms and functions of the oxygen radicals producing respiration of phagocytes

Respiratory burst is due to the activation of a membrane bound NADPH oxidase induced by perturbation of the plasma membrane during phagocytosis or following interaction between the cell surface and a number of environmental stimuli. It refers to the increase in the non-mitochondrial O2 consumption with a concomitant production of different reactive species (superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen ...). The effects of the respiratory burst depend on the intensity and combination of the different actions which are defensive, toxic, activatory and modulatory of the inflammatory process.