Oxidative Stress and Hypertension: Current Concepts

Abstract

Hypertension is a major contributor to the development of renal failure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. These pathologies are associated with vascular functional and structural changes including endothelial dysfunction, altered contractility, and vascular remodeling. Central to these phenomena is oxidative stress. Factors that activate pro-oxidant enzymes, such as NADPH oxidase, remain poorly defined, but likely involve angiotensin II, mechanical stretch, and inflammatory cytokines. Reactive oxygen species influence vascular, renal, and cardiac function and structure by modulating cell growth, contraction/dilatation, and inflammatory responses via redox-dependent signaling pathways. Compelling data from molecular and cellular experiments, together with animal studies, implicate a role for oxidative stress in hypertension. However, the clinical evidence is still controversial. This review provides current insights on the mechanisms of the generation of reactive oxygen species and the vascular effects of oxidative stress and discusses the significance of oxidative damage in experimental and clinical hypertension.

ERK5/KLF4 signaling as a common mediator of the neuroprotective effects of both nerve growth factor and hydrogen peroxide preconditioning

“…Numerous epidemiological and experimental studies support a unifying role for oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, including AD and stroke (Briones and Touyz 2010;Miller et al 2010). In particular, the increased ROS, including H 2 O 2 , could kill neurons directly or indirectly by activating apoptotic pathways.…”

Cigarette smoking and chronic kidney diseases

“…29 Patients with DM suffer from oxidative stress [30][31][32] and hypertensive patients have been recognized to experience hyper-oxidative stress. 33,34 Oxidative stress induced by smoking, overlaid on increased oxidative stress in patients with HT, DM or CKD, may have an important role in CKD onset and progression, although the precise nature of the nephrotoxic effect of cigarette smoking is not well understood (Figure 2). Interestingly, the effect of smoking on CKD progression varied depending on CKD stage (Figure 1).…”

Anti-hypertensive effect of <i>Gastrodia elata</i> Bl leaf extract in rats

“…The 2K1C hypertension is an angiotensin-II (Ang-II) dependent model of hypertension where increased plasma and intrarenal AngII concentrations [13,14], enhanced production and systemic delivery of Ang-II by the clipped kidney, form the basic endocrine disturbance [15].…”