Oxidants and antioxidants in atherosclerosis

The oxidative theory suggests that LDL oxidation contributes to atherogenes is, implying that attenuation of this process by antioxidants should decrea se atherosclerosis. However, a causative link between LDL oxidation and ath erogenesis is not firmly established. It requires the identification of the oxidants that are responsible for the initiation of LDL oxidation, and an understanding of the modified moieties that are responsible for the proathe rogenic activities of oxidized LDL. The present review summarizes recent da ta on potential biological oxidants for LDL in the vessel wall, and discuss es the antiatherogenic role(s) of selected antioxidants. Curr Coin Lipidol 12:411-418. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.