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Oksidatif Stres ve Vitaminler

Year 2026, Volume: 13 Issue: 1 , 29 - 38 , 01.05.2026
https://doi.org/10.56941/odutip.1868784
https://izlik.org/JA77BK43AT

Abstract

Canlı sistemlerde serbest radikallerin ve reaktif oksijen türlerinin (ROS) aşırı üretimi veya organizmanın antioksidan savunma mekanizmalarının yetersizliği sonucu ortaya çıkan oksidatif stres, hücresel lipitlere, proteinlere ve DNA'ya kalıcı hasar verebilir. Bu durum, özellikle kanser, diyabet, kardiyovasküler hastalıklar, Alzheimer ve Parkinson hastalığı gibi nörodejeneratif bozukluklar olmak üzere birçok kronik hastalığın patogenezinde önemli bir rol oynar. Bununla birlikte, düşük ve orta seviyelerde fizyolojik ROS üretimi (oksidatif östrese), hücresel sinyal iletimi, bağışıklık tepkileri ve redoks homeostazının korunması için kritik öneme sahiptir.

Birincil antioksidan vitaminler (C vitamini, E vitamini ve A vitamini/karotenoidler), reaktif türleri doğrudan temizleme, lipid peroksidasyon zincir reaksiyonlarını kesme ve Nrf2 gibi hücresel antioksidan gen ekspresyon yollarını aktive etme yetenekleri nedeniyle öne çıkmaktadır. C vitamini sulu ortamlarda doğrudan temizleyici olarak işlev görürken, E vitamini hücre zarları içinde koruma sağlar. Dahası, bu vitaminler oksitlenmiş formlarından birbirlerini yeniden üreterek sinerjik bir savunma ağı oluştururlar. Ancak, in vitro çalışmalar ve hayvan modellerinden elde edilen güçlü koruyucu kanıtlara rağmen, klinik araştırmalar literatürde “antioksidan paradoksu” olarak bilinen karmaşık bir tabloyu ortaya koymuştur.

Güncel klinik ve epidemiyolojik kanıtlar, izole ve yüksek dozlu sentetik takviyelerden ziyade, Akdeniz diyeti ve DASH diyeti gibi doğal fitokimyasallar ve vitaminler açısından zengin bütünsel beslenme modellerinin, oksidatif stres ve sistemik inflamasyon biyobelirteçlerini (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) azaltmada önemli ölçüde daha etkili ve güvenli olduğunu göstermektedir. Dahası, besin-gen etkileşimlerinin (nutrigenomik) ve çeşitli patolojilerin altında yatan hastalığa özgü moleküler mekanizmaların anlaşılması, bireylerin genetik profillerine göre uyarlanmış antioksidan stratejilerinin geliştirilmesini mümkün kılmaktadır.

Bu derleme makalesi, oksidatif stresin hem yararlı hem de zararlı yönlerini tanımlamayı, güncel klinik bulgular ışığında birincil antioksidan vitaminlerin terapötik potansiyelini ve pro-oksidan risklerini tartışmayı ve tek bir besin takviyesine dayanmak yerine yaşam tarzı değişikliklerini, güvenilir biyobelirteçlerin doğrulanmasını ve modern nutrigenomik yaklaşımları vurgulayan yeni nesil hastalık önleme stratejilerini kapsamlı bir şekilde sunmayı amaçlamaktadır.

Supporting Institution

Destekleyen kurum yoktur.

References

  • Chandimali N, Bak SG, Park EH, Lim HJ, Won YS, Kim EK, et al. Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: A review. Cell Death Discov. 2025;11(1):19.
  • Gorini F, Tonacci A. Vitamin C in the management of thyroid cancer: A highway to new treatment? Antioxidants (Basel). 2024;13(10):1242.
  • Jomova K, Raptova R, Alomar SY, Alwasel SH, Nepovimova E, Kuca K, et al. Reactive oxygen species, toxicity, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: Chronic diseases and aging. Arch Toxicol. 2023;97(10):2499-2574.
  • Kurutas EB. The importance of antioxidants which play the role in cellular response against oxidative/nitrosative stress: Current state. Nutr J. 2016;15(1):71.
  • Chaudhary P, Janmeda P, Docea AO, Yeskaliyeva B, Abdull Razis AF, Modu B, et al. Oxidative stress, free radicals and antioxidants: Potential crosstalk in the pathophysiology of human diseases. Front Chem. 2023;11:1158198.
  • Rahaman MM, Hossain R, Herrera-Bravo J, Islam MT, Atolani O, Adeyemi OS, et al. Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update. Food Sci Nutr. 2023;11(4):1657-1670.
  • Fabre G, Bayach I, Berka K, Paloncýová M, Starok M, Rossi C, et al. Synergism of antioxidant action of vitamins E, C and quercetin is related to formation of molecular associations in biomembranes. Chem Commun (Camb). 2015;51(36):7713-7716.
  • Halliwell B. Understanding mechanisms of antioxidant action in health and disease. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2024;25(1):13-33.
  • Visioli F, Galli C. The role of antioxidants in the Mediterranean diet. Lipids. 2001;36:49-52.
  • Koloverou E, Panagiotakos DB, Pitsavos C, Chrysohoou C, Georgousopoulou EN, Grekas A, et al. Adherence to Mediterranean diet and 10-year incidence of diabetes: Correlations with inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in the ATTICA cohort study. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2016;32(1):73-81.
  • Aleksandrova K, Koelman L, Rodrigues CE. Dietary patterns and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation: A systematic review of observational and intervention studies. Redox Biol. 2021;42:101869.
  • Fagbohun OF, Gillies CR, Murphy KPJ, Rupasinghe HPV. Role of antioxidant vitamins and other micronutrients on regulation of specific genes and signaling pathways in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(7):6092.
  • Sussan TE, Rangasamy T, Blake DJ, Malhotra D, El-Haddad H, Bedja D, et al. Targeting Nrf2 with the triterpenoid CDDO-imidazolide attenuates cigarette smoke-induced emphysema and cardiac dysfunction in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009;106(1):250-255.
  • Palau VE, Chakraborty K, Wann D, Lightner J, Hilton K, Brannon M, et al. γ-Tocotrienol induces apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells by upregulation of ceramide synthesis and modulation of sphingolipid transport. BMC Cancer. 2018;18(1):564.
  • Stone AL, Basit H, Mohiuddin SS. Biochemistry, antioxidants. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019.
  • Vetrani C, Costabile G, Di Marino L, Rivellese AA. Nutrition and oxidative stress: A systematic review of human studies. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013;64(3):312-326.
  • Axita PV, Parth RM, Prachi KP, Payal KG, Zalak RR, Meenu SS. Analysis of antioxidants and its properties of vitamins as a key source for human health. Acta Sci Nutr Health. 2022;6(3):104-114.
  • Sies H. Total antioxidant capacity: Appraisal of a concept. J Nutr. 2007;137(6):1493-1495.
  • Simunkova M, Barbierikova Z, Jomova K, Hudecova L, Lauro P, Alwasel SH, et al. Antioxidant vs prooxidant properties of the flavonoid kaempferol in the presence of Cu(II) ions. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(4):1619.
  • Pinchuk I, Yachnik Y, Kopchak O, Avetisyan K, Gasparyan K, Ghazaryan G, et al. Implementation of the WHO mental health gap intervention guide in Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia and the Kyrgyz Republic. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9):4391.
  • Finkel T, Holbrook NJ. Oxidants, oxidative stress and the biology of ageing. Nature. 2000;408(6809):239-247.
  • Teleanu DM, Niculescu AG, Lungu II, Radu CI, Vladacenco O, Roza E, et al. An overview of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(11):5938.
  • Bates CA, Vincent MJ, Buerger AN, Santamaria AB, Maier A, Jack M. Investigating the relationship between β-carotene intake from diet and supplements, smoking, and lung cancer risk. Food Chem Toxicol. 2024;194:115104.
  • Poznyak AV, Nikiforov NG, Markin AM, Kashirskikh DA, Myasoedova VA, Gerasimova EV, et al. Overview of OxLDL and its impact on cardiovascular health: Focus on atherosclerosis. Front Pharmacol. 2021;11:613780.
  • Mushenkova NV, Bezsonov EE, Orekhova VA, Popkova TV, Starodubova AV, Orekhov AN. Recognition of oxidized lipids by macrophages and its role in atherosclerosis development. Biomedicines. 2021;9(8):915.
  • Darenskaya MA, Kolesnikova LI, Kolesnikov SI. Oxidative stress: Pathogenetic role in diabetes mellitus and its complications and therapeutic approaches to correction. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2021;171(2):179-189.
  • Lee KH, Cha M, Lee BH. Neuroprotective effect of antioxidants in the brain. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(19):7152.
  • Rajmohan R, Reddy PH. Amyloid-beta and phosphorylated tau accumulations cause abnormalities at synapses of Alzheimer’s disease neurons. J Alzheimers Dis. 2017;57(4):975-999.
  • Caturano A, D’Angelo M, Mormone A, Russo V, Mollica MP, Salvatore T, et al. Oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes: Impacts from pathogenesis to lifestyle modifications. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2023;45(8):6651-6666.
  • Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(10):1417-1436.
  • Chedea VS, Tomoiagă LL, Macovei ŞO, Măgureanu DC, Iliescu ML, Bocsan IC, et al. Antioxidant/pro-oxidant actions of polyphenols from grapevine and wine by-products. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021;8:750508.
  • Tronci L, Serreli G, Piras C, Frau DV, Dettori T, Deiana M, et al. Vitamin C cytotoxicity and its effects in redox homeostasis and energetic metabolism in papillary thyroid carcinoma cell lines. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(5):809.
  • Klein EA, Thompson IM, Tangen CM, Crowley JJ, Lucia MS, Goodman PJ, et al. Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-1556.
  • Mohr A. The self-administered use of complementary and alternative medicine supplements and antioxidants in cancer therapy and the critical role of Nrf2: A systematic review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022;11(11):2149.
  • Wiel C, Le Gal K, Ibrahim MX, Jahangir CA, Kashif M, Yao H, et al. BACH1 stabilization by antioxidants stimulates lung cancer metastasis. Cell. 2019;178(2):330-345.
  • Davies H, Bignell GR, Cox C, Stephens P, Edkins S, Clegg S, et al. Mutations of the BRAF gene in human cancer. Nature. 2002;417(6892):949-954.
  • Zhang Y, Yang J, Na X, Zhao A. Association between β-carotene supplementation and risk of cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Rev. 2023;81(9):1118-1130.
  • Çelik EE, Gökmen V. Interactions between free and bound antioxidants under different conditions in food systems. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2022;62(21):5766-5782.

Oxidative Stress and Vitamins

Year 2026, Volume: 13 Issue: 1 , 29 - 38 , 01.05.2026
https://doi.org/10.56941/odutip.1868784
https://izlik.org/JA77BK43AT

Abstract

Oxidative stress, resulting from the excessive production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) or the inadequacy of an organism's antioxidant defense mechanisms in living systems, can cause permanent damage to cellular lipids, proteins, and DNA. This plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases, particularly cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. However, low to moderate levels of physiological ROS production (oxidative estrous stress) are critical for maintaining cellular signaling, immune responses, and redox homeostasis. 

Primary antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A/carotenoids) stand out due to their ability to directly scavenge reactive species, interrupt lipid peroxidation chain reactions, and activate cellular antioxidant gene expression pathways such as Nrf2. Vitamin C functions as a direct scavenger in aqueous environments, while vitamin E provides protection within cell membranes. Furthermore, these vitamins create a synergistic defense network by regenerating each other from their oxidized forms. However, despite strong protective evidence from in vitro studies and animal models, clinical trials have revealed a complex picture known in the literature as the “antioxidant paradox.”. 

Current clinical and epidemiological evidence demonstrates that holistic dietary patterns rich in natural phytochemicals and vitamins, such as the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet, are significantly more effective and safer in reducing oxidative stress and systemic inflammation biomarkers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) than isolated and high-dose synthetic supplements. Furthermore, understanding nutrigenomics and the disease-specific molecular mechanisms underlying various pathologies makes it possible to develop antioxidant strategies tailored to individuals' genetic profiles. 

This review article aims to identify both the beneficial and harmful aspects of oxidative stress, discuss the therapeutic potential of primary antioxidant vitamins and pro-oxidant risks in light of current clinical findings, and comprehensively present next-generation disease prevention strategies emphasizing lifestyle changes, validation of reliable biomarkers, and modern nutrigenomic approaches rather than relying on a single nutritional supplement.

Supporting Institution

There is no supporting organization.

References

  • Chandimali N, Bak SG, Park EH, Lim HJ, Won YS, Kim EK, et al. Free radicals and their impact on health and antioxidant defenses: A review. Cell Death Discov. 2025;11(1):19.
  • Gorini F, Tonacci A. Vitamin C in the management of thyroid cancer: A highway to new treatment? Antioxidants (Basel). 2024;13(10):1242.
  • Jomova K, Raptova R, Alomar SY, Alwasel SH, Nepovimova E, Kuca K, et al. Reactive oxygen species, toxicity, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: Chronic diseases and aging. Arch Toxicol. 2023;97(10):2499-2574.
  • Kurutas EB. The importance of antioxidants which play the role in cellular response against oxidative/nitrosative stress: Current state. Nutr J. 2016;15(1):71.
  • Chaudhary P, Janmeda P, Docea AO, Yeskaliyeva B, Abdull Razis AF, Modu B, et al. Oxidative stress, free radicals and antioxidants: Potential crosstalk in the pathophysiology of human diseases. Front Chem. 2023;11:1158198.
  • Rahaman MM, Hossain R, Herrera-Bravo J, Islam MT, Atolani O, Adeyemi OS, et al. Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update. Food Sci Nutr. 2023;11(4):1657-1670.
  • Fabre G, Bayach I, Berka K, Paloncýová M, Starok M, Rossi C, et al. Synergism of antioxidant action of vitamins E, C and quercetin is related to formation of molecular associations in biomembranes. Chem Commun (Camb). 2015;51(36):7713-7716.
  • Halliwell B. Understanding mechanisms of antioxidant action in health and disease. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2024;25(1):13-33.
  • Visioli F, Galli C. The role of antioxidants in the Mediterranean diet. Lipids. 2001;36:49-52.
  • Koloverou E, Panagiotakos DB, Pitsavos C, Chrysohoou C, Georgousopoulou EN, Grekas A, et al. Adherence to Mediterranean diet and 10-year incidence of diabetes: Correlations with inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in the ATTICA cohort study. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2016;32(1):73-81.
  • Aleksandrova K, Koelman L, Rodrigues CE. Dietary patterns and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation: A systematic review of observational and intervention studies. Redox Biol. 2021;42:101869.
  • Fagbohun OF, Gillies CR, Murphy KPJ, Rupasinghe HPV. Role of antioxidant vitamins and other micronutrients on regulation of specific genes and signaling pathways in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(7):6092.
  • Sussan TE, Rangasamy T, Blake DJ, Malhotra D, El-Haddad H, Bedja D, et al. Targeting Nrf2 with the triterpenoid CDDO-imidazolide attenuates cigarette smoke-induced emphysema and cardiac dysfunction in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009;106(1):250-255.
  • Palau VE, Chakraborty K, Wann D, Lightner J, Hilton K, Brannon M, et al. γ-Tocotrienol induces apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells by upregulation of ceramide synthesis and modulation of sphingolipid transport. BMC Cancer. 2018;18(1):564.
  • Stone AL, Basit H, Mohiuddin SS. Biochemistry, antioxidants. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019.
  • Vetrani C, Costabile G, Di Marino L, Rivellese AA. Nutrition and oxidative stress: A systematic review of human studies. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013;64(3):312-326.
  • Axita PV, Parth RM, Prachi KP, Payal KG, Zalak RR, Meenu SS. Analysis of antioxidants and its properties of vitamins as a key source for human health. Acta Sci Nutr Health. 2022;6(3):104-114.
  • Sies H. Total antioxidant capacity: Appraisal of a concept. J Nutr. 2007;137(6):1493-1495.
  • Simunkova M, Barbierikova Z, Jomova K, Hudecova L, Lauro P, Alwasel SH, et al. Antioxidant vs prooxidant properties of the flavonoid kaempferol in the presence of Cu(II) ions. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(4):1619.
  • Pinchuk I, Yachnik Y, Kopchak O, Avetisyan K, Gasparyan K, Ghazaryan G, et al. Implementation of the WHO mental health gap intervention guide in Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia and the Kyrgyz Republic. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9):4391.
  • Finkel T, Holbrook NJ. Oxidants, oxidative stress and the biology of ageing. Nature. 2000;408(6809):239-247.
  • Teleanu DM, Niculescu AG, Lungu II, Radu CI, Vladacenco O, Roza E, et al. An overview of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(11):5938.
  • Bates CA, Vincent MJ, Buerger AN, Santamaria AB, Maier A, Jack M. Investigating the relationship between β-carotene intake from diet and supplements, smoking, and lung cancer risk. Food Chem Toxicol. 2024;194:115104.
  • Poznyak AV, Nikiforov NG, Markin AM, Kashirskikh DA, Myasoedova VA, Gerasimova EV, et al. Overview of OxLDL and its impact on cardiovascular health: Focus on atherosclerosis. Front Pharmacol. 2021;11:613780.
  • Mushenkova NV, Bezsonov EE, Orekhova VA, Popkova TV, Starodubova AV, Orekhov AN. Recognition of oxidized lipids by macrophages and its role in atherosclerosis development. Biomedicines. 2021;9(8):915.
  • Darenskaya MA, Kolesnikova LI, Kolesnikov SI. Oxidative stress: Pathogenetic role in diabetes mellitus and its complications and therapeutic approaches to correction. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2021;171(2):179-189.
  • Lee KH, Cha M, Lee BH. Neuroprotective effect of antioxidants in the brain. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(19):7152.
  • Rajmohan R, Reddy PH. Amyloid-beta and phosphorylated tau accumulations cause abnormalities at synapses of Alzheimer’s disease neurons. J Alzheimers Dis. 2017;57(4):975-999.
  • Caturano A, D’Angelo M, Mormone A, Russo V, Mollica MP, Salvatore T, et al. Oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes: Impacts from pathogenesis to lifestyle modifications. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2023;45(8):6651-6666.
  • Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(10):1417-1436.
  • Chedea VS, Tomoiagă LL, Macovei ŞO, Măgureanu DC, Iliescu ML, Bocsan IC, et al. Antioxidant/pro-oxidant actions of polyphenols from grapevine and wine by-products. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021;8:750508.
  • Tronci L, Serreli G, Piras C, Frau DV, Dettori T, Deiana M, et al. Vitamin C cytotoxicity and its effects in redox homeostasis and energetic metabolism in papillary thyroid carcinoma cell lines. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(5):809.
  • Klein EA, Thompson IM, Tangen CM, Crowley JJ, Lucia MS, Goodman PJ, et al. Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). JAMA. 2011;306(14):1549-1556.
  • Mohr A. The self-administered use of complementary and alternative medicine supplements and antioxidants in cancer therapy and the critical role of Nrf2: A systematic review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022;11(11):2149.
  • Wiel C, Le Gal K, Ibrahim MX, Jahangir CA, Kashif M, Yao H, et al. BACH1 stabilization by antioxidants stimulates lung cancer metastasis. Cell. 2019;178(2):330-345.
  • Davies H, Bignell GR, Cox C, Stephens P, Edkins S, Clegg S, et al. Mutations of the BRAF gene in human cancer. Nature. 2002;417(6892):949-954.
  • Zhang Y, Yang J, Na X, Zhao A. Association between β-carotene supplementation and risk of cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Rev. 2023;81(9):1118-1130.
  • Çelik EE, Gökmen V. Interactions between free and bound antioxidants under different conditions in food systems. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2022;62(21):5766-5782.
There are 38 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Health Promotion
Journal Section Review
Authors

Cansu Can Figen 0000-0001-8314-4314

Submission Date January 21, 2026
Acceptance Date April 3, 2026
Publication Date May 1, 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.56941/odutip.1868784
IZ https://izlik.org/JA77BK43AT
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 13 Issue: 1

Cite

Vancouver 1.Cansu Can Figen. Oxidative Stress and Vitamins. ODU Med J. 2026 May 1;13(1):29-38. doi:10.56941/odutip.1868784

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