Oxidative mechanisms and atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease

Oxidant stress has been implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of atherothrombotic vascular disease. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, resulting from increased production and/or decreased antioxidant capacity, modulate the vessel wall phenotype to create an environment that facilitates the progression of atherosclerosis. Herein, we review a number of biochemical mechanisms by which oxidant stress mediates atherosclerotic lesion formation and progression.

Section editors:Colin H. Macphee – Department of Vascular Biology, GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, PA, USAAlan Daugherty – Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA