Perivascular adipose tissue as a target for antioxidant therapy for cardiovascular complications
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Abstract
Abstract: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is the connective tissue surrounding most of the systemic
blood vessels. PVAT is now recognized as an important endocrine tissue that maintains vascular
homeostasis. Healthy PVAT has anticontractile, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative roles. Vascular
oxidative stress is an important pathophysiological event in cardiometabolic complications of obesity,
type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Accumulating data from both humans and experimental animal
models suggests that PVAT dysfunction is potentially linked to cardiovascular diseases, and associated
with augmented vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and arterial remodeling. Reactive oxygen
species produced from PVAT can be originated from mitochondria, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
phosphate (NADPH) oxidases, and uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase. PVAT can also sense
vascular paracrine signals and response by secreting vasoactive adipokines. Therefore, PVAT may
constitute a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
In this review, we summarize recent findings on PVAT functions, ROS production, and oxidative
stress in different pathophysiological settings and discuss the potential antioxidant therapies for
cardiovascular diseases by targeting PVAT.