Adaptive Responses to Oxidative Stress: Insights from Molecular, Cellular, and Animal Studies

Dear Colleagues,

Oxidative stress, characterized by an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), poses a significant threat to cellular integrity by causing damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA. Organisms across the biological spectrum have evolved adaptive responses to counteract these effects, ensuring survival in environments in which oxidative stress is prevalent. At the molecular level, the activation of stress response pathways, including the upregulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs), in protein folding and repair. Additionally, the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway plays a critical role in orchestrating the expression of detoxifying and antioxidant genes, further enhancing cellular resilience.

Animal studies can provide valuable insights into these adaptive mechanisms, revealing that species exposed to chronic oxidative stress exhibit enhanced antioxidant capacities and stress tolerance. For instance, aquatic organisms in polluted environments often show an increased expression of antioxidant enzymes, indicating an intricate adaptive response to oxidative stress. Understanding these adaptive responses not only sheds light on the resilience of organisms in challenging environments but also informs potential therapeutic approaches that aim to ameliorate oxidative stress-related diseases.

Organisms and their cells are constantly exposed to environmental fluctuations. Among them are stressors, which can induce macromolecular damage that exceeds a set threshold, independent of the underlying cause. This Special Issue aims to deepen our understanding of the intricate adaptations to oxidative stress at the molecular, cellular, and organism levels. We welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews, and meta-analyses that explore various aspects of oxidative stress adaptations, with a special focus on aquatic organisms. The scope of the Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

• Mechanisms of antioxidant defense in aquatic organisms;
• Cellular signaling pathways in response to oxidative stress;
• Comparative studies of oxidative stress tolerance across aquatic species;
• Impact of environmental stressors on oxidative stress responses;
• Evolutionary adaptations to oxidative stress in aquatic organisms.

We invite you to submit your high-quality research to this Special Issue. Studies involving animal models and in vitro experimentation are all within the scope of this Special Issue. Furthermore, we welcome studies that investigate the suppression and enhancement of antioxidative systems.

Dr. Ghasem Rashidian
Prof. Dr. Caterina Faggio
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• oxidative stress
• antioxidant capacity
• adaptive oxidative response
• xenobiotics
• pollutants
• pesticides
• natural antioxidants
• antioxidant enzymes
• reactive oxygen species (ROS)
• lipid peroxidation
• redox homeostasis
• oxidative damage
• aquatic toxicology
• stress response pathways
• environmental stressors
• cellular defense mechanisms
• adaptive responses