Effects of Nanomaterials on Oxidative Stress and Protein Oxidation in Biological System: Biochemical and Biological Aspects

Abstract

Oxidation and reduction is a ubiquitous phenomenon reflecting the structural, functional aspects of cell, tissue, organ and organism. Primarily oxidative process in a biological system is the imprint of structural and functional integrity because of its role to maintain a state of healthy equilibrium. This homeostatic state is the result of combined and coordinated interactions between pro oxidants, antioxidants, inactivated free radicals and oxidants present in the cell. Proteins alone and in conjugated from are amongst those biomolecules which are basically devoted to cellular structural, functional, inter and intracellular communication. Electrochemical aspects of oxidation reduction are applicable to the oxidation of proteins. High energy radiations are capable to form free radicals of oxygen, when proteins are exposed to such free radicals gross modifications in amino acids and/or fragmentation of proteins occurs. Redox metabolism reflects on the functional aspects of proteome; there is every probability that any temporal and spatial fluctuations can direct the functional aspect of cell. Conditions like resistance to insulin, dysfunction of immune system and inflammatory responses are concerned with oxidative stress. Diseased conditions and senescence are parameters directly related to the declined efficiency of antioxidant system indicating oxidative stress. This in turn is capable to causes modifications in DNA, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. In the recent past nanotechnology has attained significant importance due to its multidimensional potentials in almost all fields of life. The nanomaterials, natural as well as engineered, are sought after to solve most of the problems related to man-kind and industries. The physicochemical properties of nanomaterials are the basis of their applications in all spheres of life. In this presentation an effort is made to over view the developments in the field of nanomaterials that have taken place in the recent past and more over their impact on redox process and protein oxidation encompassing biological, biochemical, physiological, and pathological aspects in a biological system.