Superoxide dismutase: Reaction, Function and Benefits

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a key endogenous and exogenous cellular antioxidant. Studies have shown that SOD regulates intracellular oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, inflammation and oxidation, and has great potential for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, agricultural and chemical industries.

Reaction

Chemically, the dismutase activity of SOD accelerates the reaction of superoxide anion (O₂^·-) with itself to form hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and oxygen (2O₂^·-+2H → H⁺₂O₂+O₂). Many short-lived, highly reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide anion (O₂^·-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are toxic and can generate oxidative stress in cells, a response that is closely associated with the development of many diseases.

Superoxide is a negatively charged free radical formed by supplying a single electron to oxygen. It is not very reactive itself, but it is involved in several reactions that produce a variety of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), such as H2O2 and peroxynitrite (ONOO^-), and from these, many other secondary radicals. SOD can also control the concentration of these species by controlling O2^·-. The SOD-catalysed burst reaction is extremely efficient, proceeding at a diffusion-limited rate of almost ∼2 × 10⁹ M^-1·s^-1, which is ∼10⁴ times the rate constant for spontaneous bursting.

Function and Benefits

As we age, the level of SOD in the body decreases. People are more susceptible to diseases related to oxidative stress.SOD is used as an anti-aging ingredient and antioxidant in cosmetics and personal care products because it reduces free radical damage to the skin, thus preventing wrinkles, fine lines and age spots.It also helps with wound healing, softens scar tissue, protects against UV rays and reduces other signs of aging.

SOD also prevents lipid peroxidation, oxidation of LDL in macrophages, formation of lipid droplets, and adhesion of inflammatory cells to endothelial monolayers. It also plays an antioxidant role in many cancer-related processes. In addition, different forms of SOD enhance food processing and pharmaceutical applications, exhibit anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and prevent arterial problems by protecting the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Therefore, SOD supplementation plays an important role in slowing down aging, improving skin and preventing various diseases, and the proper use of SOD supplements helps maintain healthy body functions.

References:

[1] MOHAMMAD NAZMUL ISLAM. Superoxide dismutase: an updated review on its health benefits and industrial applications.[J]. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2022. DOI:10.1080/10408398.2021.1913400.

[2] YING WANG. Superoxide dismutases: Dual roles in controlling ROS damage and regulating ROS signaling.[J]. Journal of Cell Biology, 2018: 1915-1928. DOI:10.1083/jcb.201708007.