Oxidative stress: the role of cytochromes P450 in oxygen activation

Oxidative stress is associated with a number of degenerative disease states, such as cancer and AIDS. Fundamental to oxidative stress is the generation of superoxide, peroxide and other reactive oxygen species (ROS). This review focuses on the importance of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in the activation of oxygen and ROS generation, together with a discussion of defence mechanisms which can offer protection against oxidative stress. (C) 2002 Society of Chemical Industry.