Oxidative Stress and Vascular Damage in the Context of Obesity: The Hidden Guest

Abstract

The vascular system plays a central role in the transport of cells, oxygen and nutrients between different regions of the body, depending on the needs, as well as of metabolic waste products for their elimination. While the structure of different components of the vascular system varies, these structures, especially those of main arteries and arterioles, can be affected by the presence of different cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity. This vascular remodeling is mainly characterized by a thickening of the media layer as a consequence of changes in smooth muscle cells or excessive fibrosis accumulation. These vascular changes associated with obesity can trigger functional alterations, with endothelial dysfunction and vascular stiffness being especially common features of obese vessels. These changes can also lead to impaired tissue perfusion that may affect multiple tissues and organs. In this review, we focus on the role played by perivascular adipose tissue, the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the vascular dysfunction associated with obesity. In addition, the participation of oxidative stress in this vascular damage, which can be produced in the perivascular adipose tissue as well as in other components of the vascular wall, is updated.

Contribution of Adipose Tissue to the Chronic Immune Activation and Inflammation Associated With HIV Infection and Its Treatment

“…The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important pathophysiological role. The production of RAS components by adipocytes is exacerbated during obesity, contributing to the systemic RAS which then affects the cardiovascular system (171). The up-regulation of adipose RAS, and especially the increase of angiotensin II production, promotes inflammation through increased chemokine production, oxidative stress and fibrosis (171).…”

“…The production of RAS components by adipocytes is exacerbated during obesity, contributing to the systemic RAS which then affects the cardiovascular system (171). The up-regulation of adipose RAS, and especially the increase of angiotensin II production, promotes inflammation through increased chemokine production, oxidative stress and fibrosis (171). Conversely, blocking or preventing RAS activation in AT can reduce oxidative stress, improve insulin resistance and reduce inflammation (173,174).…”

Study of the Development of Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis upon Oxidative Stress using Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy

“…The above reactions show the endogenous antioxidants undergoing reduction by scavenging the free radicals and inhibiting them from reacting with the other important biological molecules. Furthermore, it was observed that nicotinamide adenine-dinucleotide phosphate, NADPH, which is required to reduce the levels of oxidized glutathione decreases during metabolic diseases, aging, and oxidative stress [39][40][41], like the decrease in endogenous defense molecules, such as thiols and SOD promotes fibrosis [42].…”

Vascular Repair by Grafting Based on Magnetic Nanoparticles

“…For minor vascular damage clinically, simple surgical sutures and medical treatment can be used for treatment. However, severe trauma or insufficient blood supply caused by large-scale defects can cause serious consequences, such as claudication, sores, organ dysfunction, necrosis, or even death [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. At present, vascular grafts are widely used clinically to prevent severe vascular injury, such as polyurethane [ 7 ], polyester [ 8 ], expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) [ 9 ], etc.…”