Antioxidant effect of chitosan in the renal failure

Oxidative stress has been implicated in a range of disease states, including end-stage renal failure treated with hemodialysis [Westhuyzen J. et al, 2003]. Free radicals react with biological molecules and destroy the structure of cells, which eventually causes free-radical induced disease such as cancer, renal failure, aging, etc. Exogenous or endogenously produced nitric oxide (NO) inhibits superoxide-stimulated urea permeability. In the inner medulla, superoxide generation by local oxidases may stimulate urea transport, and the role of endogenous No may be to dampen this effect by decreasing superoxide levels ［Zimpelmann J. et al, 2003 (Epub ahead of print)］. (omitted)