Hormone-linked redox status and its modulation by antioxidants

Abstract

Hormones have been considered as key factors involved in the maintenance of the redox status of the body. We are making considerable progress in understanding interactions between the endocrine system, redox status, and oxidative stress with the dynamics of life, which encompasses fertilization, development, growth, aging, and various pathophysiological states. One of the reasons for changes in redox states of vertebrates leading to oxidative stress scenario is the disruption of the endocrine system. Comprehending the dynamics of hormonal status to redox state and oxidative stress in living systems is challenging. It is more difficult to come to a unifying conclusion when some hormones exhibit oxidant properties while others have antioxidant features. There is a very limited approach to correlate alteration in titers of hormones with redox status and oxidative stress with growth, development, aging, and pathophysiological stress. The situation is further complicated when considering various tissues and sexes in vertebrates. This chapter discusses the beneficial impacts of hormones with antioxidative properties, such as melatonin, glucagon, insulin, estrogens, and progesterone, which protect cells from oxidative damage and reduce pathophysiological effects. Additionally, we discuss the protective effects of antioxidants like vitamins A, E, and C, curcumin, tempol, N-acetyl cysteine, α-lipoic acid, date palm pollen extract, resveratrol, and flavonoids on oxidative stress triggered by hormones such as aldosterone, glucocorticoids, thyroid hormones, and catecholamines. Inflammation, pathophysiology, and the aging process can all be controlled by understanding how antioxidants and hormones operate together to maintain cellular redox status. Identifying the hormonal changes and the action of antioxidants may help in developing new therapeutic strategies for hormonal imbalance-related disorders.

Keywords: Antioxidant defense system; Antioxidants; Hormones; Oxidative stress; Reactive oxygen species; Redox status.