Faintuch J, Aguilar P B, Dias M C, Nadalin W, Pinotti H W
Rev Hosp Clin Fac Med Sao Paulo. 1995 May-Jun;50(3):133-5.
Antioxidants and free radical scavengers are molecules endowed with the ability of neutralizing reactive oxygen species that may accumulate in the organism during various pathologic processes. In circumstances of peroxidation of lipids and damage to enzymatic chains, cell membranes and other structures may be followed by functional losses and even cell death. Many antioxidants are normal constituents of the diet in the form of vitamins, trace elements and amino acids, and other useful properties cannot be easily distinguished from their free-radical scavenging abilities. Much controversy surrounds also the indications of these substances, both for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. The first large-scale population studies have only recently been arranged, and additional investigations are required in many promising areas, including cancer patients undergoing chemo and radiotherapy.
抗氧化剂和自由基清除剂是一类具有中和活性氧能力的分子，活性氧可能在各种病理过程中在生物体内积累。在脂质过氧化和酶链受损的情况下，细胞膜和其他结构可能会出现功能丧失甚至细胞死亡。许多抗氧化剂以维生素、微量元素和氨基酸的形式是饮食中的正常成分，其他有益特性很难与其自由基清除能力区分开来。关于这些物质用于预防和治疗目的的适应症也存在很多争议。第一批大规模人群研究直到最近才安排进行，在许多有前景的领域还需要进一步研究，包括接受化疗和放疗的癌症患者。
