Oxidant/Antioxidant Disequilibrium in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Pathogenesis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is characterised by abnormal reepithelialisation and remodelling consequent to persistent stimuli or injury. The involvement of oxidative stress in alveolar injury, inflammation and fibrosis development has been suggested. Increased concentrations of lipid peroxidation products, oxidised proteins and an altered antioxidant enzyme status with the depletion of glutathione, the most abundant low-molecular-weight antioxidant, have often been reported in epithelial lining fluid of IPF patients. This review describes the sources of free radical generation, ROS-induced signalling pathways and mechanisms of oxidative stress damages in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.