Potential New Drug Targets Modulating the Environmentally-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Cardiovascular System

This chapter offers an in-depth look at how oxidative stressOxidative stress, exacerbated by environmental pollutantsPollutants like air, soil, and water toxins, influences cardiovascular health. It delves into the pathophysiological mechanisms by which oxidative stress contributes to cardiovascular diseasesCardiovascular diseases, primarily through generating reactive oxygen speciesReactive oxygen species (ROS). The text examines the antioxidative defense systems of the heart, detailing both enzymatic and non-enzymatic components that counteract ROS damage. It further discusses cellular and environmental sources of ROS, including the significant role of air pollutionAir pollution and their contribution to cardiovascular pathology. It details how these factors leadLead to oxidative stressOxidative stress, endothelial dysfunctionEndothelial dysfunction, and the promotion of diseases such as hypertensionHypertension, atherosclerosisAtherosclerosis, ischemic heart diseaseIschemic heart disease, and heart failureHeart failure, emphasizing the need for targeted preventive strategies. Additionally, it discusses the epigeneticEpigenetics changes induced by environmental toxins affecting cardiovascular health across generations. The importance of personalized antioxidantAntioxidant therapies in mitigating these risks is underscored, advocating for a tailored approach to cardiovascular protection against environmental oxidative stressOxidative stress.