Oxidative Stress Gated by Fenton and Haber Weiss Reactions and Its Association With Alzheimer’s Disease

Involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a variety of physiological and pathological processes has attracted a growing interest. In fact, identification of this global signaling system has provided new insights into underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of various diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Understanding this information may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Limited efficacy of current medications for neurological disorders and dementias such as AD has led to considerable research interests in new drug development. Based on the modulatory effects of the Fenton reactions with transition metals such as iron, copper, zinc and aluminum on ROS and the effect of free radicals on neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes, we hypothesized that pharmacological manipulation of the transition metals gated hydroxyl ion might be beneficial in treating neurological disorders such as AD. Catalytic activities of transition metals gated by the Fenton reactions are involved in the survival and pathological signaling pathways, neural plasticity, and neuroprotection. Furthermore, ROS and RNS have proved to exhibit overwhelming pathological effects leading to a variety of neurological disorders. In the present investigation, an overview was made on regulatory role of the Fenton reaction gated catalytic activities of transition metals and some evidence regarding their mechanisms leading to Alzheimer’s disease. Based on the neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative effects of transition metals, drugs with antagonizing effects could be a promising therapeutic alternative for Alzheimer’s disease.