Reactive nitrogen species and cardiovascular diseases

Oxidative stress plays a major part in the development of chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, arthritis, aging, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and Europe and is poised to become the most significant health problem worldwide. Reactive nitrogen species are involved in the regulation of cardiovascular motor tone, modulation of myocardial contractility, control of cell proliferation and inhibition of platelet activation, aggregation, and adhesion. Cellular constituents of our body are altered in oxidative stress conditions, resulting in various disease states. The oxidative stress can be effectively neutralized by enhancing cellular defenses in the form of antioxidants. To understand the mechanism of action of antioxidants, it is necessary to understand the generation of free radicals and their damaging reactions.