Oxidative stress and Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a central mechanism in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, resulting from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant mechanisms. Mitochondrial damage and excessive calcium uptake enhance the production of neurotoxic agents such as hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. MPP⁺ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) and rotenone promote the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons through the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and microglial inflammation further exacerbates neurodegeneration. Effective therapy requires both suppression of oxidative stress and enhancement of cellular defense mechanisms.