Vascular Disease Prevention

2009, 6 : 36-46
Published online 2009 March 20. DOI: 10.2174/1567270001006010036
Publisher ID: VDP-6-36

Mitochondria-Targeted Vitamin E Antioxidant: An Agent for Cardiovascular Protection

M. Rocha , R. García-Bou , N. Enguix , A. Hernández-Mijares , J.V. Esplugues and V.M. Víctor
Fundación Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Servicio de Endocrinología, Avda Gaspar Aguilar 90, 46017, Valencia, Spain and Departamento de Farmacología. Facultad de Medicina. Universitat de Valencia, Avenida Blasco Ibáñez 15-17, 46010 Valencia, Spain.

ABSTRACT

Mitochondria play an important role in controlling the bioenergetic status of cells in physiological conditions. Consequently, mitochondrial dysfunction leads to a range of human vascular diseases in humans. Although the molecular mechanisms responsible for mitochondria-mediated disease processes are not altogether clear, oxidative stress appears to be closely linked to the subsequent increase in the amount of free radicals. Accordingly, strategies for the targeted delivery of antioxidants to mitochondria are being developed. In this review, we shall briefly discuss the metabolism of cellular reactive oxygen species and its role in pathophysiology, currently available antioxidants and possible reasons for their ineffectiveness in ameliorating oxidative stress-mediated diseases, and recent developments in mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (in particular mitochondria-targeted vitamin E) and their potential for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Keywords:

Cardiovascular disease, endothelium, mitochondria, mitochondrial-antioxidants, nitric oxide, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, vitamin E.