TABLE OF CONTENT

Title Page –  –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         i

Certification –        –         –         –         –         –         –         –         ii

Dedication  –          –         –         –         –         –         –         –         iii

Acknowledgements –       –         –         –         –         –         –         iv

Abstracts –   –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         v

Table of Contents –          –         –         –         –         –         –         vi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Introduction –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         1-2

CHAPTER TWO: FREE RADICALS AND THEIR SCAVENGER

2.1     Reactive Oxygen Species-         –         –         –         –         4-5

2.2     Consequences of Generation of ROS- –         –         –         6-7

2.3     Superoxide Dismutase-    –         –         –         –         –         8-13

2.4     Glutathione Peroxidase-  –         –         –         –         –         13-16

2.5     Catalase-      –         –         –         –         –         –         –         16-18

2.6     Reactive Oxygen Species-         –         –         –         –         18-21

CHAPTER THREE: ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES AND THEIR BIOCHEMICAL SIGNIFICANCE

3.1     Biochemical Significance of the Enzymes-    –         –         –

3.1.1  Superoxide Dismutase-    –         –         –         –         –         –

3.1.2  Catalase-      –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –

3.1.3  Glutathione Peroxidase-  –         –         –         –         –         –

3.2     Clinical Applications of Antioxidant Enzymes-       –         –

CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

4.1     Summary-    –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –

4.2     Conclusion- –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –

References    

CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

During normal metabolic functions, highly reactive compound called free radicals are generated in the body; however, they may also be introduced from the environment. These molecules are inherently unstable as they possess lone pair of electrons and hence become highly reactive. They react with cellular molecules such as proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, and denature them. As a result of this, vital cellular structures and functions are lost and ultimately resulting in various pathological conditions (Uday, 2004). Antioxidant enzymes are capable of stabilizing or deactivating free radicals before they attack cellular components. They act by reducing the energy of the free radicals or by giving up some of their electrons for its use, thereby causing it to become stable. In addition, they may also interrupt with oxidizing chain reaction to minimize the damage caused by free radicals. For the past decade, countless studies have been devoted to the beneficial effects of antioxidant enzymes. It has been found out that a substantial link exists between free radicals and more than sixty different health conditions, including the aging process, cancer, diabetes, strokes, heart attacks and atherosclerosis (Chitra, 2002). By reducing exposure to free radicals and increasing the intake of antioxidant enzyme rich foods or antioxidant enzyme supplements, our body’s potential to reducing the risk of free radical related health problems is made more palpable (Worthington, 2009). Antioxidant enzymes are therefore absolutely critical for maintaining optimal cellular and systemic health and well being.