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Oxidative Stress and Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Epiphenomenon or the Cause?

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Abstract

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are fairly common chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Although the exact etiology of IBD remains uncertain, dysfunctional immunoregulation of the gut is believed to be the main culprit. Amongst the immunoregulatory factors, reactive oxygen species are produced in abnormally high levels in IBD. Their destructive effects may contribute to the initiation and/or propagation of the disease. We provided an extensive overview on the evidences from animal and human literature linking oxidative stress to IBD and its activity. Moreover, the effects of antioxidant therapy on IBD patients in randomized, controlled trials were reviewed and the need for further studies elaborated. We also summarized the evidence in support for causality of oxidative stress in IBD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

    Ali Rezaie & Robyn D. Parker

  2. Faculty of Pharmacy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155-6451, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Abdollahi

Authors
  1. Ali Rezaie
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  2. Robyn D. Parker
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  3. Mohammad Abdollahi
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Correspondence to Mohammad Abdollahi.

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Rezaie, A., Parker, R.D. & Abdollahi, M. Oxidative Stress and Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Epiphenomenon or the Cause?. Dig Dis Sci 52, 2015–2021 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9622-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9622-2

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