Health Conditions
Oxidative Damage
Cellular harm caused by excess free radicals overwhelming antioxidant defenses.
Oxidative damage refers to the structural and functional harm inflicted on cellular components when reactive oxygen species (ROS) overwhelm the body's antioxidant defense systems. Damage targets include lipid membranes (lipid peroxidation producing malondialdehyde), proteins (carbonylation and loss of function), and DNA (8-OHdG lesions potentially leading to mutations). In hair biology, oxidative damage to follicular melanocytes contributes to premature graying, while damage to matrix cells can impair hair growth. Biomarkers of oxidative damage include F2-isoprostanes, protein carbonyls, and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine.