ABSTRACT
Growing evidence from experimental and animal studies as well as correlative
data from human studies suggest that oxidative stress is implicated in a variety of
chronic progressive diseases, such as atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative dis-
orders and cancer.1-7 Since low levels of antioxidants were associated with an
increased risk to develop oxidative stress related diseases8-12 antioxidants were
suggested to modulate or even to prevent these diseases. The outcome of
randomized clinical trials undertaken to prove this hypothesis remained however
largely inconclusive.13,14 This review focuses on the current state of antioxidant
modulation of cardiovascular disease. It briefly summarizes types and sources of
oxidants as well as molecular processes through which oxidants contribute to
atherosclerotic processes. Furthermore, a short overview about the antioxidant
defence system, protective effects of antioxidant vitamins and results of anti-
oxidant studies is given. Finally, potential reasons for the disparity of experi-
mental, observational and clinical data and possible future strategies for a
specific targeted antioxidant therapy are discussed.
