Chemical reactivity and biological effects of superoxide radicals

Abstract The chemical reactivity of the superoxide radical is described in terms of its dismutation to oxygen, its basicity and ability to act as a nucleophile in aprotic media, and in its capacity to mediate one electron transfer reactions and undergo conversion to other species of active oxygen. The biological role of the superoxide radical is discussed in terms of its diffusion and reactivity within membranes, its potential to inactivate enzymes and elicit DNA damage in human granulocytes activated by phorbol esters. Mechanisms for reduction of oxygen to the superoxide radical by riboflavin, nitroaromatic compounds, nitrofurazone and oxazolinone are described. Finally, inactivation of bone marrow progenitor cells by superoxide radicals generated photochemically is discussed to emphasize the sensitizing effect of the medium, the sequential toxicity of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, and the protective effects of superoxide dismutase and catalase while acting in their respective time frames.