Aquaporin Membrane Channels in Oxidative Stress, Cell Signaling, and Aging: Recent Advances and Research Trends

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018 Mar 27:2018:1501847. doi: 10.1155/2018/1501847. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced as a result of aerobic metabolism and as by-products through numerous physiological and biochemical processes. While ROS-dependent modifications are fundamental in transducing intracellular signals controlling pleiotropic functions, imbalanced ROS can cause oxidative damage, eventually leading to many chronic diseases. Moreover, increased ROS and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability are main key factors in dysfunctions underlying aging, frailty, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Extensive investigation aims to elucidate the beneficial effects of ROS and NO, providing novel insights into the current medical treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases of high epidemiological impact. This review focuses on emerging topics encompassing the functional involvement of aquaporin channel proteins (AQPs) and membrane transport systems, also allowing permeation of NO and hydrogen peroxide, a major ROS, in oxidative stress physiology and pathophysiology. The most recent advances regarding the modulation exerted by food phytocompounds with antioxidant action on AQPs are also reviewed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Aquaporins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Vasodilation

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Aquaporins
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Hydrogen Peroxide