alt=An unsaturated lipid reacts with a hydroxyl radical to form a lipid radical (initiation), which then reacts with di-oxygen, forming a lipid peroxyl radical. This then reacts with another unsaturated lipid, yielding a lipid peroxide and another lipid radical, which can continue the reaction (propagation). The biochemical basis for the<unk>  of<unk>  is the partial reduction of<unk>  by one or two electrons to form reactive<unk>  species, which are natural by-products of the normal metabolism of<unk>  and have important roles in cell signalling. One species produced by the body, the superoxide anion (), is possibly involved in iron acquisition. Higher than normal concentrations of<unk>  lead to increased levels of reactive<unk>  species.<unk>  is necessary for cell metabolism, and the blood supplies it to all parts of the body. When<unk>  is breathed at high partial pressures, a hyperoxic condition will rapidly spread, with the most vascularised tissues being most vulnerable. During times of environmental stress, levels of reactive<unk>  species can increase dramatically, which can damage cell structures and produce oxidative stress. While all the reaction mechanisms of these species within the body are not yet fully understood, one of the most reactive products of oxidative stress is the hydroxyl radical (), which can initiate a damaging chain reaction of lipid peroxidation in the unsaturated lipids within cell membranes. High concentrations of<unk>  also increase the formation of other free radicals, such as nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, and trioxidane, which harm DNA and other biomolecules. Although the body has many antioxidant systems such as glutathione that guard against oxidative stress, these systems are eventually overwhelmed at very high concentrations of free<unk> , and the rate of cell damage exceeds the capacity of the systems that prevent or repair it. Cell damage and cell death then result.
Oxygen toxicity
Cerebral hypoxia
Nitrogen dioxide poisoning
Chromium toxicity
Histotoxic hypoxia
Fluoride toxicity
Chlorine gas poisoning
Silent hypoxia