[Role of free radicals in articular inflammatory process]. / Participação dos radicais livres na inflamação articular.

The authors review recent studies supporting the role of free radicals in the inflammatory articular process. More specifically, superoxide anion and its derived active species and nitric oxide are analyzed regarding their generation by the articular cells and tissues, their destructive activity n these specialized tissues. Likewise, effects of the inhibition of free radicals production or activity in the inflammatory process is also commented.