Free Radical Effects -

Phagocytes Free Radicals

The phagocytes (literally 'eating cells') are the scavengers of the body and do a wonderful job eating up and destroying undesirable substances and the germs that cause infection. They are mobile cells that are attracted to the site of infections or to foreign material by chemical stimuli. They are amoebic and get around by putting out long finger like protrusions ('false feet' or pseudopodia) and flowing into them. This mobility also allows them to flow around anything they wish to destroy so that it is incorporated into their bodies. Inside the phagocytes are enzymes which, in the presence of bacteria and other organisms, produce the powerful oxygen free radial, super oxide. This immediately generates the strong oxidant, hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide then acts on chloride in the phagocyte to form hypochlorous acid (the same stuff as Domestos), which soon copes with the germs.

Long-term inflammation means that successive waves of millions of phagocytes descend on the affected area of the body. Unfortunately, the free radicals do not stay in the phagocytes and large quantities are released into the surrounding tissues. Hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid are profoundly damaging to body cells of all kinds and this is why inflammation is associated with tissue destruction. They also inflict damage on DNA and so can lead to cancer.