The Mechanism of “Fenton-Like” Reactions and Their Importance for Biological Systems. A Biologist’s View

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the mechanism and biological significance of lipid peroxidation. It discusses the chemical, biochemical, and toxicological aspects of the reactions of hydroxyl radical and the radicals formed during lipid peroxidation. The book describes the chemistry of the Fenton-like reactions (FLRs). It discusses the role of FLRs in causing oxidative stress in vivo. In both cases, more attention is paid to the processes that precede FLRs and allow them to occur than to the damage caused by the hydroxyl radical and by other products of FLRs. The book discusses the processes of adaptation of the cells to oxidative stress with emphasis on the fact that to a significant extent the biological significance of these adaptations is to prevent FLRs from occurring and to repair the damage.