Abstract

Ionising radiation, oxygen radicals, cytotoxic drugs, alcohol, inflammation, neuroleptics and many other agents are thought to damage cells in part by promoting the formation of free radicals. These radicals in turn lead to the peroxidation of essential fatty acids (EFAs) and the formation of a wide range of toxic metabolites. The production of toxic radicals and metabolites is thought to be the main cause of the damage. It is suggested that this view may be wrong, with the major component of the toxicity being attributable to loss of the highly unsaturated EFAs from membranes. If this view is correct, then antioxidant and anti-free radical therapy will be inadequate to prevent and reverse such damage. Treatment must include measures to replace the missing EFAs.