Oxidative Stress after Surgery on the Immature Heart

Figure 1

The various reactive oxygen species (ROS) injure cells by three main mechanisms: lipid peroxidation, protein oxidative damage, and DNA damage. Cellular injury is limited by the action of the main antioxidant enzymes (scavengers). There is a complex cross talk between ROS and NF-κB transcription factors that regulate the production of antioxidants.