NADPH oxidases and inflammatory bowel disease.

The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH oxidase, NOX) enzyme family catalyzes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS have functional roles in cell cycling and signal transduction but their excessive production results in oxidative stress which is believed to have pathological consequences. Oxidative stress in the intestinal tract is considered a major factor contributing to the pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as recent data suggest a positive correlation between upregulated NOX and gastrointestinal inflammation. Moreover, expression of certain NOX gene variants has been shown to affect the susceptibility of an individual to develop IBD. As current treatments for IBD are not entirely effective, the pharmacological inhibition of NOX is an unexplored avenue that could provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of this disease.