Oxidative stress and heart disease: cardiac dysfunction, nutrition, and gene therapy

Curr Hypertens Rep. 2003 Jun;5(3):215-20. doi: 10.1007/s11906-003-0023-z.

Abstract

Oxidative stress is defined as the imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense mechanisms. The cardiovascular system is a major target for reactive oxygen species. Cardiomyocytes and the vasculature of the heart can be severely damaged as a result of oxidative stress. In this paper, we discuss recent findings with respect to the role of oxidative stress in heart disease. The efficacies of treatments with vitamins and wine-derived compounds, as well as innovative gene therapeutic experiments that may potentially alleviate oxidative stress-induced disease, are also discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Animals
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Heart Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Retroviridae / genetics
  • Wine

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species