Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Diseases

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are reactive oxygen metabolites resulting from one-electron reduction of oxygen under the influence of a variety of enzymes. In aerobic organisms, they are produced as a byproduct of many cellular metabolic pathways and participate in some processes necessary for the normal life and functioning of the cells, but also in a large number of pathological processes. Oxidative stress is a molecular dysregulation of ROS metabolism, which plays a leading role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. The good understanding of the role of oxidative stress in vascular pathology aims to create new therapeutic strategies for stabilization of the endothelial function by reduction of oxidative stress.