Cited by 6,672Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative StressRedox biology and oxidative stressCancer and biochemical research

Chemistry and biochemistry of 4-hydroxynonenal, malonaldehyde and related aldehydes

Esterbauer, Hermann, Schaur, Rudolf Jörg, Zollner, Helmward·1991·Free Radical Biology and Medicine

Abstract

Lipid peroxidation often occurs in response to oxidative stress, and a great diversity of aldehydes are formed when lipid hydroperoxides break down in biological systems. Some of these aldehydes are highly reactive and may be considered as second toxic messengers which disseminate and augment initial free radical events. The aldehydes most intensively studied so far are 4-hydroxynonenal, 4-hydroxyhexenal, and malonaldehyde. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary on the chemical properties of these aldehydes, the mechanisms of their formation and their occurrence in biological systems and methods for their determination. We will also review the reactions of 4-hydroxyalkenals and malonaldehyde with biomolecules (amino acids, proteins, nucleic acid bases), their metabolism in isolated cells and excretion in whole animals, as well as the many types of biological activities described so far, including cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, chemotactic activity, and effects on cell proliferation and gene expression. Structurally related compounds, such as acrolein, crotonaldehyde, and other 2-alkenals are also briefly discussed, since they have some properties in common with 4-hydroxyalkenals.

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Crossref · 10.1016/0891-5849(91)90192-6

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Authors
Esterbauer, H., Schaur, R. J., & Zollner, H.
Affiliations
University of Graz (AT)
Corresponding author
Esterbauer, Hermann
Venue
Free Radical Biology and Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1991
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
81-128
ISSN
0891-5849 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2057522312
Cited by
6,672
References
370
Citations by year
2026: 109 · 2025: 116 · 2024: 119 · 2023: 159 · 2022: 156 · 2021: 217 · 2020: 221 · 2019: 210 · 2018: 192 · 2017: 198 · 2016: 224 · 2015: 243 · 2014: 257 · 2013: 261 · 2012: 290
FWCI
6.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Free Radical Biology and Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Redox biology and oxidative stress
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Cancer and biochemical research
Keywords
4-hydroxynonenal, malondialdehyde, lipid peroxidation, lipid hydroperoxides, 4-hydroxyhexenal, 2-alkenals, acrolein, crotonaldehyde, oxidative stress, aldehyde determination, aldehyde metabolism, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, chemotactic activity, cell proliferation, gene expression
MeSH terms
Aldehydes, Animals, Free Radicals, Humans, Malondialdehyde

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