Both oxidative and reductive stress cause cell damage, but reductive stress is much less researched. Reductive stress is caused by the accumulation of reducing agents while the concentration of oxidants remains unchanged. However, reductive stress can also induce oxidative stress. Redox reactions are crucial for normal cell function since they generate energy in the form of ATP. This is why the redox balance in the cell is extremely important. Redox balance is a state where the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are in balance. A surplus of reducing agents in the cell, such as GSH and NADH, or an over-regulation of the antioxidant systems can cause the depletion of ROS in the cell, leading to reductive stress. The consequences of reductive stress can be observed at the cellular level (reduced cell growth, reduced mitochondrial function, reduced metabolic activity). At the same time, reductive stress can also be the cause of various pathological conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, etc.
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