Helmut Sies, MD

Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I
Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine
Heinrich-Heine-University-Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany

image of Dr. Helmut Sies

Abstract: A set of four principles underlying redox biology has been denoted as the "Redox Code" (1). First, redox regulation utilizes the NAD+ and NADP+ systems in catabolic and anabolic metabolic pathways, respectively, and small molecular mass compounds, termed bioactives, play a role in pool size and certain functions, e.g. as precursors of substrate reacting with SIRT3. Second, thiol redox transitions are used in redox signaling via the sulfenome; again, bioactives can modulate by addressing molecular redox switches such as Nrf2/Keap1. Third, the hydrogen peroxide tone in oxidative eustress (2) is controlled, in part, by links with bioactives. Fourth, the global redox network involves set-points which are under the influence of bioactives. Examples for these four areas of active research will be given: nicotinamide, sulforaphane, selenocompounds, polyphenols. Bioactives are functional in dampening postprandial oxidative stress.

A brief comment on the conundrum of terminology regarding bioactives, nonessential nutrients, micronutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and their relation to oxidative stress (3) will conclude the presentation.

(1) Jones DP, Sies H (2015) The redox code. Antioxid Redox Signal 23:734-46
(2) Sies H (2017) Hydrogen peroxide as a central redox signaling molecule in physiological oxidative stress: oxidative eustress. Redox Biol 11:613-9
(3) Sies H, Berndt C, Jones DP (2017) Oxidative stress. Annu Revs Biochem 86:715-48