Chronic oxidative stress is associated with the aging process and often leads to the development of disorders such as cancer and arterial disease. Cardiovascular conditions in which oxidation damage has been strongly implicated include atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, coronary restenosis, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure. Antioxidants and Cardiovascular Disease, Second Edition covers three major topics: 1) the first seven chapters review the oxidative modifcation hypothesis and its close relationship to lipid metabolism and to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis; 2) the next four chapters describe the different compounds, nutrients and supplements with antioxidant properties and their mechanisms of action; 3) and finallly, the last ten chapters discuss the potential benefits of antioxidants in overall cardiovascular prevention, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias, and in the treatment and prevention of specific conditions such as chronic coronary artery disease, restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention, and chronic heart failure. Antioxidants and Cardiovascular Disease, Second Edition is written by recognized experts in the fields of atherosclerosis, heart failure and antioxidants. It should be of interest to medical students and fellows, researchers, and practicing physicians. There has been rapid progress in our knowledge in this field during the last two to three years. Thus the current reedition appears timely. For instance, this second edition captures several recently reported and published clinical trials as welll as new information on diabetic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

Generation of oxidants or reactive oxygen species is a natural process of human biology. Mitochondrial respiration, phagocytic activity and cyclooxygenase activation are all essential processes of life, which also generate oxidative species. In humans, chronic oxidative stress often coupled with deficiency of antioxidant defenses is associated with the aging process and can lead to the development of disorders such as cancer and arterial disease. Major cardiovascular conditions in which oxidative damage has been strongly implicated include atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, coronary restenosis and congestive heart failure. Compelling evidence points to oxidative stress as an important trigger in the complex chain of events leading to atherosclerosis. The expression of chemotactic factors and adhesion molecules is modified by oxidative stress. Exposure to superoxide ions activates the NF-kappa B regulatory complex and triggers the transcription of several atherosclerosis related genes. These events lead to the accumulation of macrophages in the arterial wall. Macrophages avidly incorporate oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) to form foam cells. The activity of matrix metalloproteinases is also regulated by oxidative stress. This activity appears to be closely coupled with smooth muscle cell activation and migration. Matrix metalloproteinases have also been implicated in the pathophysiology of plaque rupture. Antioxidant supplementation including vitamin E decreases susceptibility ofLDL to oxidation and retards the progression of atherosclerosis in animal models.

Chronic oxidative stress is associated with the aging process and often leads to the development of disorders such as cancer and arterial disease. Cardiovascular conditions in which oxidation damage has been strongly implicated include atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, coronary restenosis, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure.

Antioxidants and Cardiovascular Disease, Second Edition covers three major topics: 1) the first seven chapters review the oxidative modifcation hypothesis and its close relationship to lipid metabolism and to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis; 2) the next four chapters describe the different compounds, nutrients and supplements with antioxidant properties and their mechanisms of action; 3) and finallly, the last ten chapters discuss the potential benefits of antioxidants in overall cardiovascular prevention, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias, and in the treatment and prevention of specific conditions such as chronic coronary artery disease, restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention, and chronic heart failure.

Antioxidants and Cardiovascular Disease, Second Edition is written by recognized experts in the fields of atherosclerosis, heart failure and antioxidants. It should be of interest to medical students and fellows, researchers, and practicing physicians.

There has been rapid progress in our knowledge in this field during the last two to three years. Thus the current reedition appears timely. For instance, this second edition captures several recently reported and published clinical trials as welll as new information on diabetic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.