Radicals, oxidative/nitrosative stress and preeclampsia.

Oxygen is used by eukaryotic cells for metabolic transformations and energy production in mitochondria. Under physiological conditions, there is a constant endogenous production of free radicals that interact as signaling molecules in physiological mechanisms. Free radicals are neutral molecules, which are produced by separation of ions and molecules. In regular conditions production and disposal of free radicals are at equilibrium. However this equilibrium may not always be experienced, where these species are not eliminated by antioxidants or are excessively produced. Unequalibrium of free radicals causes a condition called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has destroying effects on lipids, proteins, DNA, organelles and finally cells. This process is also linked to inflammation. Over last two decades scientists explore the reasons and possible outcomes of oxidative stress, since it has an obvious connection between the condiition and number of diseases such as chronic inflammation and many emerging disorders like cancer, kidney diseases, oral diseases, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal chronic diseases or rheumatics diseases, hypertension and preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a condition that is experienced during pregnancy and holds its place as number one cause of prenatal death. Our goal in this rewiev is to describe the oxidative/nitrosative stress and its effects on preeclampsia.