ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has a multifaceted etiology. Dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, systemic and local vascular immune-mediated inammation, oxidative “stress,” clotting mechanisms, smooth muscle proliferation, microbiome, and yet unknown biochemical “ngerprints,” together with genetic/epigenetic factors, are discussed to be involved. Pathological changes occur long before symptoms become apparent and diagnosis is made. Diminished levels of antioxidants are most likely caused by an overwhelming reactive oxygen species production by activated immune effector cells like macrophages due to a chronic low-grade systemic inammation. Although antioxidants are considered to act benecially in this context, the interplay of endogenous and exogenous antioxidants with the overall redox system is not fully understood. Especially, molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress in CVD remain to be claried.
