Regulation of Coronary Vasomotor Function by Reactive Oxygen Species

Regulation of Coronary Vasomotor Function by Reactive Oxygen Species

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases in partby impairing endothelial function and consequently compromising blood flow regulation. Superoxide and hydrogen peroxide areelevated under various disease states with reduced endothelium-derived nitric oxide bioavailability. The oxidative stress elicited by angiotensin II, C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α is mediated by the activation of different redox signaling pathways in the microvasculature. The upregulation of L-arginine consuming enzyme arginase also contributes to the reduced nitric oxide bioavailability during oxidative stress.