Atherosclerosis and Current Anti-Oxidant Strategies for Atheroprotection

Abstract

As a result of increased understanding of the characteristics and production of ROS and oxidative stress and demonstrated a link either directly or indirectly to atherosclerosis, the reduction of ROS or decreasing their rate of production may delay the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. Aging promotes physiological changes, such as oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction strictly associated with the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Actually, compelling evidence indicates that increased consumption of correct diet containing nutritive and non-nutritive compounds with anti-oxidant properties may contribute to the improvement of the quality of life by delaying onset and reducing the risk of CVDs and, in particular, the development of an atheroprotective strategies acting on oxidative stress involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and with little toxicity or adverse effects may provide an ideal simil-therapeutic treatment against atherosclerosis. Actually, cardiovascular prevention and treatment strategies should consider the simple, direct and inexpensive dietary approach as a first line approach to the burgeoning burden of CVDs, alone or in combination with pharmacological treatments. In this context, wine, tea, fruit and olive oil received much attention, because they are particularly rich in natural anti-oxidants. However, a better understanding of the oxidative stress-dependent signal transduction mechanisms, their localization, and the integration of both ROS-dependent transcriptional and signaling pathways in vascular pathophysiology is anyway a prerequisite for effective pharmacological and non pharmacological interventions for cardiovascular protection from oxidative stress. In conclusion, the proposal that anti-oxidants may retard the progression of atherosclerosis is very interesting and promising, but further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms that underline the biological effect of healthy life style.