Molecular Characterization of Free Radical Function in Redox Signaling and Strategies to Reduce Oxidative Stress in Cardiovascular Diseases
Abstract
Free radicals are molecules with an unpaired electron. Due to the presence of free electron, these molecules are highly reactive. At moderate concentrations, free radicals play an important role as regulatory mediators in signaling molecules in a number of normal biochemical and physiological processes. Although there are several sources of vascular reactive oxygen species (ROS), the enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase is emerging as a strong candidate for excessive ROS production that is thought to lead to vascular oxidative stress. The implication of oxidative stress in the etiology of several cardiovascular diseases suggests that strategically, nonpharmacological and pharmacological therapy represents a promising avenue for treatment.
