Natural antioxidants and hypertension: promise and challenges - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

Natural antioxidants and hypertension: promise and challenges

Tinoy J Kizhakekuttu et al. Cardiovasc Ther. 2010 Aug.

Abstract

Hypertension reigns as a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) have emerged as a central common pathway by which disparate influences may induce and exacerbate hypertension. Potential sources of excessive ROS in hypertension include nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, mitochondria, xanthine oxidase, endothelium-derived NO synthase, cyclooxygenase 1 and 2, cytochrome P450 epoxygenase, and transition metals. While a significant body of epidemiological and clinical data suggests that antioxidant-rich diets reduce blood pressure and cardiovascular risk, randomized trials and population studies using natural antioxidants have yielded disappointing results. The reasons behind this lack of efficacy are not completely clear, but likely include a combination of (1) ineffective dosing regimens, (2) the potential pro-oxidant capacity of some of these agents, (3) selection of subjects less likely to benefit from antioxidant therapy (too healthy or too sick), and (4) inefficiency of nonspecific quenching of prevalent ROS versus prevention of excessive ROS production. Commonly used antioxidants include Vitamins A, C and E, L-arginine, flavanoids, and mitochondria-targeted agents (Coenzyme Q10, acetyl-L-carnitine, and alpha-lipoic acid). Various reasons, including incomplete knowledge of the mechanisms of action of these agents, lack of target specificity, and potential interindividual differences in therapeutic efficacy preclude us from recommending any specific natural antioxidant for antihypertensive therapy at this time. This review focuses on recent literature evaluating naturally occurring antioxidants with respect to their impact on hypertension.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Whitworth JA. 2003 World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society of Hypertension (ISH) statement on management of hypertension. J Hypertens. 2003 November;21(11):1983–1992. - PubMed
    1. Griendling KK, FitzGerald GA. Oxidative stress and cardiovascular injury: Part II: animal and human studies. Circulation. 2003 October 28;108(17):2034–2040. - PubMed
    1. Dauchet L, Amouyel P, Hercberg S, Dallongeville J. Fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis of cohort studies. J Nutr. 2006 October;136(10):2588–2593. - PubMed
    1. Appel LJ, Moore TJ, Obarzanek E, et al. A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. DASH Collaborative Research Group. N Engl J Med. 1997;336(No. 16):1117–1124. - PubMed
    1. Esposito K, Marfella R, Ciotola M, et al. Effect of a mediterranean-style diet on endothelial dysfunction and markers of vascular inflammation in the metabolic syndrome: a randomized trial. JAMA. 2004 September 22;292(12):1440–1446. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding

LinkOut - more resources