Hormones and oxidative stress: an overview.

Abstract in brief

• Aerobic organisms rely on oxygen for survival, but incomplete reduction of oxygen produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage cellular components and cause oxidative stress, which they combat using enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants.
• Hormones regulate physiological functions and metabolism, but imbalances can lead to disease states; some hormones like melatonin, insulin, estrogen, and progesterone have antioxidant properties, while others like thyroid hormones, corticosteroids, and catecholamines can promote ROS production.
• The review explores how free radicals and hormonal interactions affect the body's antioxidant defenses in different disease conditions, highlighting both protective and damaging roles of various hormones in oxidative stress.]