Oxidative Stress and the Pathogenesis of Aortic Aneurysms

Abstract

Aortic aneurysms are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Despite their clinical significance, there remain critical knowledge gaps in the pathogenesis of aneurysm disease and the mechanisms involved in aortic rupture. Recent studies have drawn attention to the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their down-stream effectors in chronic cardiovascular diseases and specifically in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm formation. This review will discuss current mechanisms of ROS in mediating aortic aneurysms, the failure of endogenous antioxidant systems in chronic vascular diseases, and their relation to the development of aortic aneurysms.

Keywords: abdominal aortic aneurysm; antioxidant; aortic aneurysm; oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species; thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Figure 1

IL-1β activation via caspase-1, with associated extracellular inflammatory mediator upregulation (figure generated via biorender.com, accessed 1 November 2023).

Figure 2

Conversion of superoxide anions via superoxide dismutase with cofactors Cu²⁺and Zn²⁺ (figure generated via biorender.com, accessed 1 November 2023).

Figure 3

Conversion of hydrogen peroxide via Glutathione Peroxidase (figure generated via biorender.com, accessed 1 November 2023).

Figure 4

Conversion of hydrogen peroxide via catalase (figure generated via biorender.com, accessed 1 November 2023).

Figure 5

Sirtuin-driven Nrf2 upregulation of endogenous antioxidant systems and downregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome (figure generated via biorender.com, accessed 1 November 2023).

Figure 6

Oxidative stress imbalance role in aortic aneurysm formation. (figure generated via biorender.com, accessed 1 November 2023).