Actions of “antioxidants” in the protection against atherosclerosis

► Arterial lipid/protein oxidation occurs during and is thought to cause atherogenesis. ► Vitamin E, however, does not generally attenuate atherosclerosis or reduce CVD. ► Arterial lipoprotein oxidation can be dissociated from atherosclerosis. ► Antioxidants inhibit atherosclerosis by means other than oxidant scavenging. ► Burden of proof needs to shift to proving that oxidative damage causes atherosclerosis.