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Antioxidant activities and oxidative stress byproducts in human hypertension

Josep Redón1, Maria R Oliva, Carmen Tormos

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, University of Valencia, Avda Blasco Ibañez 17, 46010 Valencia, Spain.

Insights

Hypertensive patients exhibit increased oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant defenses in blood and cells, independent of blood pressure levels. This study highlights systemic oxidative imbalance in hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

  • Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
  • Oxidative stress plays a role in hypertension pathogenesis.
  • Understanding oxidative status in hypertension is crucial for therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate oxidative status and antioxidant activities in whole blood and peripheral mononuclear cells (PMCs) of hypertensive patients.
  • To examine the relationship between oxidative stress markers and blood pressure levels.
  • To assess reactive oxygen species (ROS) byproducts in hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 66 hypertensive patients and 16 normotensive controls.
  • Measured oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity.
  • Assessed 8-oxo-2 -deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) levels in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.

Main Results:

  • Hypertensive patients showed significantly higher oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio and MDA.
  • Activity of SOD, catalase, and GPx was significantly lower in hypertensive subjects.
  • 8-oxodG content was significantly higher in hypertensive subjects' DNA.
  • No correlation found between blood pressure tertiles/types and oxidative stress markers.
  • Oxidative stress markers were independent of 24-hour mean blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertensive individuals exhibit increased oxidative stress and diminished antioxidant capacity in blood and PMCs.
  • These alterations in oxidative status appear independent of blood pressure values in hypertensive patients.
  • Findings suggest a systemic oxidative imbalance contributing to hypertension, irrespective of specific blood pressure readings.

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