• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

ACS Omega . Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and COVID-19: Microglia-Neutrophil Interaction

tetano

Editor, Senior Moderator
ACS Omega


. 2026 Jan 26;11(5):6922-6938.
doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c10397. eCollection 2026 Feb 10.
Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and COVID-19: Microglia-Neutrophil Interaction

Ana B de Araújo[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Francisco V C S Azul[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Yandra Cardoso Carneiro[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Caren N S de Sousa[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Silvânia M M de Vasconcelos[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Francisco J Rios[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Luzia K A M Leal[SUP] 1 [/SUP]


Affiliations
Abstract

Abnormal activation of the immune system and oxidative stress are crucial factors in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Microglia, neutrophils, oxidative stress mediators such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation products (e.g., malondialdehyde), and nitrosative stress markers (e.g., nitrite and nitrate) play important roles in neuroinflammatory mechanisms. Microglial cells acquire a proinflammatory phenotype through interactions with endogenous or exogenous compounds, including cell debris, abnormally modified proteins (including Aβ species and alpha-synuclein), and pathogens (e.g., SARS-CoV-2). They produce many inflammatory mediators and promote the activation of adjacent brain cells and leukocyte infiltration, including polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Accumulation of neutrophils in the central nervous system (CNS) leads to the secretion of more proinflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, proteases, and oxidants, and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). These processes are associated with the pathological activation of microglial cells, cell death, consequent influence on neuronal functions, or even neuronal death, which is a hallmark of CNS disorders. In this review, we address the importance of inflammatory mechanisms and oxidative stress in the CNS associated with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and the neuronal effects observed in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as observed by the abnormal activation of central and peripheral immune cells, such as microglia and neutrophils. We also discuss emerging evidence linking SARS-CoV-2 infection to neuroinflammatory mechanisms that could contribute to neurodegenerative complications.


 
Back
Top