COVID-19 infection and oxidative stress: an under-explored approach for prevention and treatment?

Oxidative stress, which reflects an imbalance in the body between oxidant free radicals and antioxidant systems, can also be triggered by RNA virus infections, family to which belongs the new coronavirus responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic. Excess free radicals, reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen, will react with all biological molecules and cause damage to cell membranes, lipids, proteins, DNA with the risk of mutations and ultimately apoptosis. This phenomenon should also be taken into account in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection, particularly by adding antioxidants to the various therapeutic protocols used.