Oxidative stress and vascular remodelling

Exp Physiol. 2005 Jul;90(4):457-62. doi: 10.1113/expphysiol.2005.030098. Epub 2005 May 12.

Abstract

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases. Reactive oxygen species, especially superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, are important signalling molecules in cardiovascular cells. Enhanced superoxide production increases nitric oxide inactivation and leads to an accumulation of peroxynitrites and hydrogen peroxide. Reactive oxygen species participate in growth, apoptosis and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, in the modulation of endothelial function, including endothelium-dependent relaxation and expression of proinflammatory phenotype, and in the modification of the extracellular matrix. All these events play important roles in vascular diseases such as hypertension, suggesting that the sources of reactive oxygen species and the signalling pathways that they modify may represent important therapeutic targets. Potential sources of vascular superoxide production include NADPH-dependent oxidases, xanthine oxidases, lipoxygenases, mitochondrial oxidases and nitric oxide synthases. Studies performed during the last decade have shown that NADPH oxidase is the most important source of superoxide anion in phagocytic and vascular cells. Evidence from experimental animal and human studies suggests a significant role of NADPH oxidase activation in the vascular remodelling and endothelial dysfunction found in cardiovascular diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Vessels / metabolism
  • Blood Vessels / pathology*
  • Blood Vessels / physiology*
  • Blood Vessels / physiopathology
  • Enzyme Activation / physiology
  • Humans
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • NADPH Oxidases