Vascular Damage in Metabolic Disorders: Role of Oxidative Stress

Abstract Oxidative stress, a pathological situation created by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant capacity, is a critical mechanism that underlies the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases and is involved in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase enzyme family is the main source of reactive oxygen species and its expression and activity is enhanced and plays a critical role in the onset and/or development of cardiovascular diseases. The phagocytic NADPH oxidase, a member of the NADPH oxidase family present in lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of these vascular and metabolic disorders, by promoting detrimental prooxidant processes that could increase the morbidity and mortality in these diseases. A present challenge consists of the development of novel NADPH oxidase-selective drugs that could prevent and/or treat cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.