Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 15, Issue 26, 2009

When there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals (ROS) and the ability of the cell to scavenge them, they accumulate in the cytoplasm, leading to what is known as “oxidative stress”. This situation occurs as a host defence mechanism whose involvement in maintaining homeostasis and/or inducing disease has been widely investigated over the past decade. Cellular targets attacked by ROS include DNA, Read More

This review focuses on the role of oxidative processes in atherosclerosis and the cardiovascular diseases (CVD) that can arise as a result. Atherosclerosis represents a state of heightened oxidative stress characterized by lipid and protein oxidation in the vascular wall. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under pathophysiologic conditions forms an integral part of the development of CVD, and in particular at Read More

The aging process is one of the best examples of the effects of a deterioration of homeostasis, since aging is accompanied by an impairment of the physiological systems including the homeostatic systems such as the immune system. We propose an integrative theory of aging providing answers to the how (oxidation), where first (mitochondria of differentiated cells) and why (pleiotropic genes) this process occurs. In agreement wi Read More

Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory process localized in the pancreatic gland that frequently involves peripancreatic tissues. It is still under investigation why an episode of acute pancreatitis remains mild affecting only the pancreas or progresses to a severe form leading to multiple organ failure and death. Proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress play a pivotal role in the early pathophysiological events of the Read More

The production of reactive species causes oxidative modifications of proteins accompanied by a loss of protein function. By protein oxidation all cellular compartments and any amino acid are effected. This might result in a defect of cellular homeostasis. Therefore, the degradation of non-functional, oxidized proteins is an essential function of the proteolytic branch of the antioxidant defense machinery. The major proteolyti Read More

Mitochondria produce large amounts of free radicals and play an important role in the life and death of a cell, regulating the signalling, metabolism, and energy production needed for cellular function. In this way, mitochondrial oxidative damage and dysfunction contribute to a number of cell pathologies that are manifested through a range of conditions that include cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Although the molecular mech Read More

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as reactive nitrogen species (RNS) play either harmful or beneficial role in biological systems. Beneficial effects of ROS include physiological roles in cellular responses against infectious agents and in several cellular signalling pathways. Harmful effects are due to high concentrations of ROS, which can damage biomolecules, including lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. The harmful effects Read More

The N, N' dimethyl-biguanide : Metformin is an antidiabetic drug that increases glucose utilization in insulinsensitive tissues. As Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes share some altered parameters-such as abnormal glucose: insulin ratio, altered lipidic metabolism and insulin-resistance syndrome- the use of metformin has become increasingly accepted and widespread in the treatment of PCOS. Currently, me Read More

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. A variety of antioxidants has been used in clinical studies, during the past few years, for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. In small clinical studies it was found that both vitamins C and E may improve endothelial function in high risk patients. However, interventional trials have been controversial, with some positive findings, many null findings, and Read More