Oxidative stress is a big problem that can kill nerve cells in our brain. It happens when there is too much of something called reactive oxygen species (ROS) and not enough antioxidants to balance it out. Let’s break down how oxidative stress affects our brain cells:
Mitochondrial Problems: When there are high levels of ROS, they can hurt the mitochondria, which are like power plants for our cells. This damage can stop these cells from making energy properly and may cause them to die through a process called apoptosis, which is a type of programmed cell death.
Changes to Proteins: Oxidative stress can change the way proteins work in our brain. For example, if ROS hurt certain enzymes, it can mess up the signals our brain cells use to communicate. This signaling is really important for keeping brain cells alive.
Damage to Cell Membranes: Oxidative stress also attacks the fats that make up cell membranes. This can make the membranes unstable and allow important substances to leak out, disrupting the balance of ions in the cells.
Inflammation: When there's too much ROS, it can activate other support cells in the brain called glial cells. This can create inflammation, which makes brain injury worse and speeds up the death of nerve cells.
In short, oxidative stress harms various parts of nerve cells, which can lead to cell death and diseases that affect the brain.
Oxidative stress is a big problem that can kill nerve cells in our brain. It happens when there is too much of something called reactive oxygen species (ROS) and not enough antioxidants to balance it out. Let’s break down how oxidative stress affects our brain cells:
Mitochondrial Problems: When there are high levels of ROS, they can hurt the mitochondria, which are like power plants for our cells. This damage can stop these cells from making energy properly and may cause them to die through a process called apoptosis, which is a type of programmed cell death.
Changes to Proteins: Oxidative stress can change the way proteins work in our brain. For example, if ROS hurt certain enzymes, it can mess up the signals our brain cells use to communicate. This signaling is really important for keeping brain cells alive.
Damage to Cell Membranes: Oxidative stress also attacks the fats that make up cell membranes. This can make the membranes unstable and allow important substances to leak out, disrupting the balance of ions in the cells.
Inflammation: When there's too much ROS, it can activate other support cells in the brain called glial cells. This can create inflammation, which makes brain injury worse and speeds up the death of nerve cells.
In short, oxidative stress harms various parts of nerve cells, which can lead to cell death and diseases that affect the brain.