About Oxygen, Cytochrome P450 and Titanium: Learning from Ron Estabrook

Abstract

We learned from Ron Estabrook to consider the complexity of the cytochrome P450 system and to appreciate insights coming from other fields. Two issues from different fields are comparatively discussed which both have formally in common to reflect the response of the human body on foreign compounds and materials. The former ones are environmental pollutants and drugs, while the latter are solid materials such as titanium, used for orthopedic implants. It will be reviewed that both show rich oxygen chemistry as catalysts and are involved in complex biochemical responses at different regulatory levels in foreign body reactions.

Key Words :

• Cytochrome P450
• Reactive oxygen species
• Foreign compounds
• Foreign body
• Titanium implants.