Title:Reactive Oxygen Species in Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis
Volume: 21
Issue: 9
Author(s): Nikolay V. Goncharov, Pavel V. Avdonin, Alexander D. Nadeev, Irina L. Zharkikh and Richard O. Jenkins
Affiliation:
Keywords:
NADPH-oxidase, xanthine oxidase, peroxidase, NO-synthase, cytochrome P450, cyclooxygenase, hemoglobin.
Abstract: The volume of publications on the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biological processes has been increasing exponentially
over the last decades. ROS in large amounts clearly have detrimental effects on cell physiology, whereas low concentrations of
ROS are permanently produced in cells and play a role as signaling molecules. An imbalance in ROS production and defense mechanisms
can lead to pathological vascular remodeling, atherosclerosis being among them. The aim of this review is to examine different
sources of ROS from the point of view of their participation in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular risk. Among the
possible sources of ROS discussed here are mitochondria, NADPH-oxidases, xanthine oxidase, peroxidases, NO-synthases, cytochrome
P450, cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, and hemoglobin of red blood cells. A great challenge for future research is to establish interrelations,
feedback and feed-forward regulation mechanisms of various sources of ROS in development of atherosclerosis and other vascular
pathologies.
