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Reductive Stress

Meaning

Reductive Stress is a distinct physiological state characterized by an excessive accumulation of reducing equivalents, such as NADH and NADPH, relative to the cell’s capacity to utilize them in metabolic pathways. This condition is essentially an over-reduction of the cellular environment, which disrupts the critical balance of the redox state, contrasting sharply with the more commonly discussed oxidative stress. This imbalance can impair the function of essential enzymes and signaling proteins, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and a disruption in the delicate balance required for hormonal synthesis and signaling. Clinically, reductive stress can be observed in conditions of nutrient excess and certain metabolic disorders.