Oxidant stress as a critical determinant of endothelial function.

The endothelial dysfunction associated with nitric oxide (NO) depletion accompanies the development of atherothrombotic disease. Recent evidence suggests that oxidative reactions in the vasculature promote atherothrombosis. Several risk factors for atherothrombosis, such as diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, hypertension, hyperhomocyst(e)inemia and hypercholesterolemia, are associated with oxidative reactions in the vasculature and with endothelial dysfunction. Traditional and novel treatments for atherothrombosis increase bioavailable NO and may decrease oxidant stress; however, the effect of this treatment on improving the long-term prognosis of patients with risk factors for atherothrombosis has yet to be determined.