Free radicals have been implemented in a whole host of different human disease states, which suggests that they may not have a pivotal aetiological role in any but are involved in the perpetuation of disease. In recent years, it has become evident that although free radicals most certainly do have this role in perpetuating inflammatory reactions, they have perhaps a far more important role in acting as second messenger systems maintaining normal cell function. It is the perturbations of these reactions which pose the most intriguing therapeutic challenges. This volume deals with various basic mechanisms of free radical process and injury. The emphasis in each case is on potential therapeutic strategies developing from this new knowledge.