What is the Destruction of Cells by Oxidative Stress?
Oxygen levels are drastically impaired by high amounts of free radicals. Natural metabolic processes, toxins in the environment, and disease contribute to increased damage by radicals. Under normal conditions, enzymes called antioxidants break down free radicals and prevent the damage of body lipids, protein, and DNA. When free radicals supercede the amount of antioxidants in the body, the result is oxidative stress. Superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes convert free radicals into benign substances such as water and oxygen. However, when these enzymes are found in small mounts, this can deplete the motor neurons of the oxygen they need to function. They are significant factors in determining the onset of the process of aging. The nervous system is the most vulnerable system due to the amount of oxygen it consumes. Long term solutions: Genetic engineering can now be used to deliver genes that code for the enzymes into Progeria patients. Enzyme percentages: Progeria sufferers have on
