Antioxidants in peripheral arterial disease.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an important manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis that is characterized by obstruction of the arteries in the lower limbs. Experimental and epidemiological studies suggested a key role for oxidative stress in initiation and progression of the atherosclerotic process. The results of these studies provided a good basis for interventional trials with antioxidants, particularly with vitamin E, but the findings were conflicting. In this paper we review the observational and interventional studies with antioxidants, and ask whether vitamins supplementation should or should be not be recommended for PAD patients.
Divisione IV Clinica Medica, Policlinico Umberto I, Università La Sapienza Rome, Italy. francesco.violi@uniroma1.it
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Loffredo
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Marcoccia
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants