title: Antioxidants in Cardiovascular Therapy: Panacea or False Hope?
abstract: Oxidative stress is a key feature of the atherothrombotic process involved in the etiology of heart attacks, ischemic strokes, and peripheral arterial disease. It stands to reason that antioxidants represent a credible therapeutic option to prevent disease progression and thereby improve outcome, but despite positive findings from in vitro studies, clinical trials have failed to consistently show benefit. The aim of this review is to re-appraise the concept of antioxidants in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. In particular, the review will explore the reasons behind failed antioxidant strategies with vitamin supplements and will evaluate how flavonoids might improve cardiovascular function despite bioavailability that is not sufficiently high to directly influence antioxidant capacity. As well as reaching conclusions relating to those antioxidant strategies that might hold merit, the major myths, limitations, and pitfalls associated with this research field are explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Science, Centre for Health Science, University of the Highlands and Islands , Inverness , UK ; James Hutton Institute , Dundee , UK.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goszcz
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Science, Centre for Health Science, University of the Highlands and Islands , Inverness , UK.
authors.forename: Sherine J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Deakin
authors.affiliation: Rowett Institute of Health and Nutrition , Aberdeen , UK.
authors.forename: Garry G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Duthie
authors.affiliation: James Hutton Institute , Dundee , UK ; School of Life Sciences, Heriot Watt University , Edinburgh , UK.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Science, Centre for Health Science, University of the Highlands and Islands , Inverness , UK ; Cardiology Unit, Raigmore Hospital , Inverness , UK.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Science, Centre for Health Science, University of the Highlands and Islands , Inverness , UK.
authors.forename: Ian L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Megson
keywords: N-acetylcysteine; allopurinol; antioxidants; carotenoids; polyphenols; vascular disease; vitamin C; vitamin E