[Oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species].
Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcome. Hypertension is associated with oxidative stress. Alteration in endothelial function is an initial step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. A balance between ambient levels of super oxide and released nitric oxide(NO) plays an important role in the maintenance of endothelial function. It is well known that reactive oxygen species, including hydroxy radicals, directly scavenge NO and produce toxic peroxynitrite. Angiotensin II and mechanical stress generate the reactive oxygen species through the activation of NADH/NADPH oxidase in hypertension. Several investigators have shown that oxidative stress is involved in enhanced vascular growth, vascular inflammation, and impaired endothelium-dependent in hypertension. In this review, we would like to explain the role of oxidative stress in hypertensive organ damages.
Higashi
Yukihito
Y
Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University.
Yoshizumi
Masao
M
D000818:Animals; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000494:pharmacology*
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species