Human aldo-keto reductase AKR7A2 protects against the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of reactive aldehydes and lowers intracellular reactive oxygen species in hamster V79-4 cells

► Human AKR7A2 protects cells from the cytotoxicity of some reactive aldehydes. ► Human AKR7A2 also protects cells from DNA damage caused by two of these aldehydes. ► Human AKR7A2 lowers menadione-induced ROS. ► First demonstration that AKR7A2 plays a role in detoxication in cells.