Oxidative Stress: Meeting Multiple Targets in Pathogenesis of Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction

The vascular endothelium is the innermost lining of blood vessels, which maintains vasoconstriction and vasodilation. Loss of vascular tone is a hallmark for cardiovascular disorders. Numerous factors, such as over-activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, kinases, growth factors, etc., play a crucial role in the induction and progression of vascular abrasion. Interestingly, dysregulation of these pathways either enhances the intensity of oxidative stress, or these pathways are affected by oxidative stress. Thus, oxidative stress has been considered a key culprit in the progression of vascular endothelial dysfunction. Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species causes abnormal gene expression, alteration in signal transduction, and the activation of pathways, leading to induction and progression of vascular injury. In addition, numerous antioxidants have been noted to possess promising therapeutic potential in preventing the development of vascular endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, we have focused on current perspectives in oxidative stress signalling to evaluate common biological processes whereby oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the progression of vascular endothelial dysfunction.