Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in inducing inflammatory responses. ROS can activate cell signaling pathways and increase the release of proinflammatory cytokines, enhancing and prolonging the inflammatory responses. . This can create a cycle where inflammation produces more ROS, which sequentially causes even more inflammation . The cycle continues until the cellular defense mechanism against oxidative stress removes the ROS molecules from the cells . Although a greater amount of ROS can help deal with infections effectively, prolonged and excessive inflammatory responses can cause tissue damage, which are major factors in the mechanisms of certain diseases, including osteoarthritis .