Antioxidants as potential therapeutics for lung fibrosis

BJ Day - Antioxidants & redox signaling, 2008 - liebertpub.com
Antioxidants & redox signaling, 2008liebertpub.com
Interstitial lung disease encompasses a large group of chronic lung disorders associated
with excessive tissue remodeling, scarring, and fibrosis. The evidence of a redox imbalance
in lung fibrosis is substantial, and the rationale for testing antioxidants as potential new
therapeutics for lung fibrosis is appealing. Current animal models of lung fibrosis have clear
involvement of ROS in their pathogenesis. New classes of antioxidant agents divided into
catalytic antioxidant mimetics and antioxidant scavengers are being developed. The …
Interstitial lung disease encompasses a large group of chronic lung disorders associated with excessive tissue remodeling, scarring, and fibrosis. The evidence of a redox imbalance in lung fibrosis is substantial, and the rationale for testing antioxidants as potential new therapeutics for lung fibrosis is appealing. Current animal models of lung fibrosis have clear involvement of ROS in their pathogenesis. New classes of antioxidant agents divided into catalytic antioxidant mimetics and antioxidant scavengers are being developed. The catalytic antioxidant class is based on endogenous antioxidant enzymes and includes the manganese-containing macrocyclics, porphyrins, salens, and the non–metal-containing nitroxides. The antioxidant scavenging class is based on endogenous antioxidant molecules and includes the vitamin E analogues, thiols, lazaroids, and polyphenolic agents. Numerous studies have shown oxidative stress to be associated with many interstitial lung diseases and that these agents are effective in attenuating fibroproliferative responses in the lung of animals and humans.
Mary Ann Liebert