As the public has become aware, "oxygen is a dangerous friend." As codiscoverer of the AIDS virus, Montagnier (Institut Pasteur; Paris, France) presents incisive discussions for those in the biomedical sciences by over 200 international authorities on the significance of oxidant/anti-oxidant balance and the cytotoxicity of free radicals in disease genesis, prevention, and treatment. Current hypotheses from epidemiological evidence favor the idea that lowering oxidative stress correlates with decreased risk, and of clinical benefit, in aging and conditions such as heart disease, cancers, cataracts, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. In disorders such as AIDS and Alzheimers, oxidative stress appears to occur as a secondary complication. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
Based on a conference on Oxidative Stress and Redox Regulation, held at the Pasteur Institute, Paris, this work examines fundamental, chemical, biological and medical studies of free radicals on different targets and the consequences of their reactivity. It covers the chemistry and biochemistry of free radicals, free radicals as second messengers that group the activation of transcription factors and enzymes, the importance of the antioxidant system in cell metabolism regulation, and the role of free radicals and antioxidants in disease management. The editors of this work are three of the most respected pioneers in the field. Dr. Montagnier is credited as the discoverer of HIV.
