Antioxidants and the Heart

摘要: Free radicals are unstable and highly reactive chemical species that differ from other ions, molecules, molecular complexes by having an unpaired electron in their outermost orbital. This usually gives a considerable degree of reactivity to the free radical. The latter can be produced biological systems various redox reactions occurring during normal metabolism. Molecular oxygen is life-supporting agent exists as diradical wherein two electrons its outer orbital have parallel spins unpaired. Although strong oxidant, this unique electronic configuration also limits some extent, since inversion spin required for oxidation two-electron donor. At same time, unusual renders potentially toxic all materials. Univalent reduction vivo rise intermediates important role both health disease. Thus, radical biology particular interest.