Oxidative Stress: The Hidden Catalyst Fueling Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a pathological condition characterized by the inflammation of arterial vessels, leading to serious cardiovascular outcomes such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and death [...].

Figure 1

This figure illustrates several potential mechanisms of atherosclerosis discussed in this Special Issue. These include the upregulation of LOX-1, which promotes the calcification of the extracellular matrix, thereby modulating the process of arterial atherosclerotic calcification. Another mechanism involves the overexpression of NOX-5, leading to endothelial dysfunction through the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, an increased concentration of Interleukin 33 (IL-33) may encourage the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), resulting in greater ROS production via the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. An antioxidant and anti-atherosclerotic effect could potentially be achieved using certain antithrombotic drugs or by activating the CORM-A1 pathway, which is mediated by the inhibition of miR-34a-5p.