The Role of Oxidative Stress in Physiopathology and Pharmacological Treatment with Pro- and Antioxidant Properties in Chronic Diseases

Figure 1

Oxidative and/or antioxidant mechanisms of action of treatments in chronic diseases. Description of how different drug mechanisms affect the oxidative status. Antihypertensive and statin treatment decrease oxidative stress by restoring the endothelial function. Antineoplastic (cisplatin, doxorubicin) and nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI or NtRTI) treatment causes the most oxidative damage in patients in the long term. Methotrexate can cause increased OS and apoptosis; at the same time, inflammation-mediated OS production decreases. Levodopa metabolism may increase cytotoxicity in the brain. Metformin and memantine may decrease the oxidative stress.