Enzymatic antioxidant system in vascular inflammation and coronary artery disease

Abstract

In biological systems there is a balance between the production and neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This balance is maintained by the presence of natural antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase. The enhancement of lipid peroxidation or the decrease of antioxidant protection present in metabolic diseases or bad lifestyle can induce endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Clinical studies have shown that oxidative stress can increase ROS reducing the formation of antioxidant defences, especially in subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD). Some observation indicated that in the early stages of the disease there is a homeostatic upregulation of the antioxidant enzyme system in response to increased free radicals to prevent vascular damage. As soon as free radicals get to chronically elevated levels, this compensation ceases. Therefore, SOD and the other enzymes may represent a good therapeutic target against ROS, but they are not useful markers for the diagnosis of CAD. In conclusion antioxidant enzymes are reduced in presence of metabolic disease and CAD. However the existence of genes that promote their enzymatic activity could contribute to create new drugs for the treatment of damage caused by metabolic diseases or lifestyle that increases the plasma ROS levels. Core tip: This review shows that antioxidant enzymes are very important factors for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic disease, but more studies are required to understand whether they can be used as markers for diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The presence of polymorphic genes that increases the activity and expression of these enzymes can be considered important for the development of new therapeutic strategies. In our opinion further efforts should be directed especially on this last point, in MINIREVIEWS

Periodontal condition, changes in salivary biochemical parameters, and oral health‐related quality of life in patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa

“…Although some studies have demonstrated an association between salivary markers of oxidative stress and periodontal status, no significant difference was observed in the salivary concentration of TBARSs among the groups in the present study . It is possible to suggest that this result is because of a compensatory effect of the antioxidant capacity of saliva, which involves the action of different mechanisms, such as antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, which are involved in the neutralization of free radicals …”

Evaluation of salivary oxidative parameters in overweight and obese young adults

“…Similar results have been reported in studies measuring salivary and serum levels of antioxidants (peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, salivary total antioxidant status) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Increased antioxidant levels have been observed in these patients, indicating a compensation of the antioxidant systems against oxidative stress (36).…”

Effects of Danhong Injection (丹红注射液) and its main components on anticoagulation and fibrinolysis in cultured vein endothelial cells

“…SOD plays an important role in scavenging free radicals, so the SOD level in organization always is considered as the main indicator of scavenging free radical ability. (31) The present research shows that HSYA and Danhong Injection markedly increased the SOD activity, while daiclzein, HSYA and Danhong Injection significantly decreased the MDA level.…”