Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, with oxidative stress and redox imbalance playing pivotal roles in their initiation and progression. In this comprehensive review, we explore the molecular mechanisms by which reactive oxygen and nitrogen species disrupt vascular homeostasis, promote endothelial dysfunction, and drive adverse cardiac remodeling. We highlight key redox-sensitive pathways, including NADPH oxidase activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Emerging oxidative stress biomarkers, such as 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and myeloperoxidase, are critically examined for their diagnostic and prognostic relevance. Additionally, we discuss therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative stress, ranging from conventional antioxidants to novel mitochondrial-directed and enzyme-specific interventions. Despite advances in understanding the redox landscape of CVDs, challenges remain in translating these insights into effective clinical therapies. Future research integrating omics technologies, precision medicine, and combined lifestyle-pharmacological approaches may offer new opportunities for redox-based cardiovascular interventions.
18 October 2024 in International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences
Background: The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is known to indicate conditions such as metabolic syndrome and atherosclerotic process. SYNergy between PCI with TAXUS (SYNTAX) and Cardiac Surgery scoring systems (SS) can show coronary anatomic severity and complexity because it is a quantitative and reproducible basic measurement before revascularization. There is no study in the literature investigating the relationship between the TyG index and the SYNTAX SS. Objective: This study aims to investigate a potential association between the TyG index [...] Abstract Background: The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is known to indicate conditions such as metabolic syndrome and atherosclerotic process. SYNergy between PCI with TAXUS (SYNTAX) and Cardiac Surgery scoring systems (SS) can show coronary anatomic severity and complexity because it is a quantitative and reproducible basic measurement before revascularization. There is no study in the literature investigating the relationship between the TyG index and the SYNTAX SS. Objective: This study aims to investigate a potential association between the TyG index
Background/Objectives: Severe COVID-19 pneumonia damages alveolar type II cells and disrupts surfactant homeostasis, contributing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Surfactant proteins (SP-A, SP-B, SP-C, SP-D) are critical for reducing alveolar surface tension and for innate immune defense. We aimed to evaluate whether surfactant protein gene expression varies with the severity of COVID-19. Methods: Peripheral blood was collected from 122 adults with confirmed COVID-19, categorized as asymptomatic (no symptoms), mild (requiring hospitalization), or severe (requiring ICU admission). We quantified mRNA expression of surfactant protein genes (SFTPA1, SFTPA2, SFTPB, SFTPC, SFTPD) in blood cells using RT-qPCR. Relative expression was normalized to GAPDH and compared among the groups using the 2−ΔΔCt method. Outliers (Ct values > 3 SD from the mean) were excluded before analysis. Results: Distinct surfactant gene expression patterns were markedly associated with disease severity. Transcripts of SFTPB and SFTPC decreased with increasing severity of the disease. Notably, SFTPC expression was ~49-fold higher in mild cases compared to asymptomatic COVID-19-positive patients (p < 0.0001), but then decreased by ~54-fold in severe cases relative to mild (p < 0.0001), returning to near-baseline levels. In contrast, SFTPA2 and SFTPD were dramatically upregulated in severe cases. SFTPA2 was ~50-fold higher in severe versus mild cases (p < 0.0001), and SFTPD was ~4346-fold higher in severe versus asymptomatic cases (p < 0.0001; ~9.6-fold higher than in mild). SFTPA1 showed only a modest ~1.4-fold decrease in severe cases (vs. mild). All noted differences remained statistically significant after outlier exclusion. Conclusions: COVID-19 severity is correlated with profound changes in surfactant gene expression in blood. Critically ill patients exhibit loss of key surfactant components (SP-B and SP-C transcripts) alongside an excessive SP-D response. These preliminary findings suggest an imbalance that may contribute to lung injury in severe disease. However, further validation is needed to establish surfactant proteins, such as SP-D, as biomarkers of COVID-19 severity.