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Published on: March 7, 2022
Oxidative stress and pathological changes after coronary artery interventions
Rio P Juni1, Henricus J Duckers, Paul M Vanhoutte
1Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Insights
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during coronary interventions contribute to cardiovascular disorders like restenosis and thrombosis. New stent technologies aim to mitigate this oxidative stress for improved procedural success.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Oxidative Stress Research
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Oxidative stress is a key factor in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
- Coronary interventions increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), impairing vascular cell function and potentially causing restenosis, thrombosis, or endothelial dysfunction.
- Understanding ROS generation post-intervention is crucial for improving procedural outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular mechanisms of ROS generation following coronary interventions.
- To discuss the pathological consequences of ROS, including restenosis, endothelial dysfunction, and stent thrombosis.
- To explore therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative stress and nitric oxide bioavailability.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on oxidative stress in cardiovascular disorders.
- Analysis of ROS generation pathways (e.g., NADPH oxidase, xanthine oxidase, mitochondria) after coronary interventions.
- Examination of current and emerging stent technologies designed to combat oxidative stress.
Main Results:
- Superoxide anions (O2(·-)) are identified as particularly harmful ROS, scavenging nitric oxide and promoting inflammation.
- ROS contribute to endothelial dysfunction, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and adverse vascular remodeling.
- Novel stent designs (biodegradable, NO-releasing, advanced drug-eluting) aim to reduce post-intervention oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- Targeting ROS generation and improving nitric oxide bioavailability are critical for enhancing the success of coronary interventions.
- Further research into ROS-mediated pathways can lead to more effective preventative and therapeutic strategies.
- Innovations in stent technology offer promising avenues for managing oxidative stress in the treated vasculature.
Abstract:
Oxidative stress greatly influences the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular disorders. Coronary interventions, including balloon angioplasty and coronary stent implantation, are associated with increased vascular levels of reactive oxygen species in conjunction with altered endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell function. These alterations potentially lead to restenosis, thrombosis, or endothelial dysfunction in the treated artery. Therefore, the understanding of the pathophysiological role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during or after coronary interventions, or both, is essential to improve the success rate of these procedures. Superoxide O2(·-) anions, whether derived from uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, xanthine oxidase, or mitochondria, are among the most harmful ROS. O2(·-) can scavenge nitric oxide, modify proteins and nucleotides, and induce proinflammatory signaling, which may lead to greater ROS production. Current innovations in stent technologies, including biodegradable stents, nitric oxide donor-coated stents, and a new generation of drug-eluting stents, therefore address persistent oxidative stress and reduced nitric oxide bioavailability after percutaneous coronary interventions. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms of ROS generation after coronary interventions, the related pathological events-including restenosis, endothelial dysfunction, and stent thrombosis-and possible therapeutic ways forward.
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