FREE RADICALS AND ANTIOXIDANTS – CURRENT STATUS PART - II
DR T R RAMANUJAM M.D., C.MI.Biol (Lond)
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ANTIOXIDANT THERAPY
INDICATIONS FOR ANTIOXIDANTS THERAPY
CURRENT STATUS OF ANTIOXIDANTS
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ANTIOXIDANT THERAPY
Before contemplating antioxidant therapy, the below mentioned questions need to be answered. The most important aspect is to consider whether the patient really needs antioxidant therapy and if so the rationale behind the decision.
- Whether the oxidative damage has been implicated in the disease pathophysiology.
- Whether the oxidative activity is central to the pathophysiology of the disease or an epiphenomenon.
- Whether there is a known antioxidant defect.
- Whether the oxidative damage is occurring.
- Whether the antioxidant reaches sufficient concentration at the site of action.
- Whether the antioxidant will have an impact on oxidation process in vivo
- Whether the antioxidant can be given and if so can it be tolerated at the necessary doses.
- If prolonged therapy is needed whether it will be safe
- Whether antioxidant can be given safely.
