Reductive_stress
Reductive stress (RS) is defined as an abnormal accumulation of reducing equivalents despite being in the presence of intact oxidation and reduction systems.[1] A redox reaction involves the transfer of electrons from reducing agents (reductants) to oxidizing agents (oxidants) and redox couples are accountable for the majority of the cellular electron flow.[2] RS is a state where there are more reducing equivalents compared to reductive oxygen species (ROS) in the form of known biological redox couples such as GSH/GSSG, NADP+/NADPH, and NAD+/NADH.[1] Reductive stress is the counterpart to oxidative stress, where electron acceptors are expected to be mostly reduced.[3] Reductive stress is likely derived from intrinsic signals that allow for the cellular defense against pro-oxidative conditions.[4] There is a feedback regulation balance between reductive and oxidative stress where chronic RS induce oxidative species (OS), resulting in an increase in production of RS, again.