Antioxidant therapy and cardiovascular disorders

Cardiovascular diseases constitute the major cause of death in Western societies. Atherosclerosis is the most common disorder and the pathogenesis of this condition is related to oxidative modifications, leading to the induction of inflammatory mechanisms and finally to the formation of atheromatic plaques. Furthermore, radical mediated destruction of sarcoplasmic membranes is involved in arrhythmias and myocardial ischaemia. - reoxgenation. Several recent studies, considering the participation of free radicals in the development of heart disorders, propose thf use of antioxidant compounds or preparations in order to prevent the progression of the disease. This article focuses on the patents dated from 1998 through to the fist quarter of 2000, which are related to the therapeutic approaches to the major cardiovascular diseases.