title: Lower Expression of Genes Involved in Protection against Oxidative Stress in Symptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidative stress is increased in atherosclerosis, manifested both in blood and tissue (atherosclerotic plaque). We aim at describing the expression of a number of genes related to oxidative stress response in carotid atherosclerotic plaques and their relation to symptomatic state.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have studied the messenger RNA expression levels for genes related to oxidative stress in a population of 44 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, according to the presence (24 patients) or absence (20 patients) of symptoms. Samples were homogenized, RNA was extracted, and gene expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction arrays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data showed a decrease in expression of oxidative stress protective genes in symptomatic patients and increased expression of pro-oxidant genes. Asymptomatic patients maintain higher levels of expression of protective genes in the tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study establishes a close relationship between symptoms and levels of expression of genes that protect against oxidative stress. We propose the existence of a mechanism that silences these genes, causing a more severe atherosclerotic disease state.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain. Electronic address: zamoranuria@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zamora-González
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crespo-Sanjuán
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: María Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Calvo-Nieves
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular y Fisiologia, Instituto de Biologia y Genetica Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid-CSIC, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular y Fisiologia, Instituto de Biologia y Genetica Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid-CSIC, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: María Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ganfornina
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aguirre-Gervás
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: González-Fajardo
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D015536:Down-Regulation; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D012333:RNA, Messenger