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(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2006;26:1931.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

Editorials

Hydrogen Peroxide

Watery Fuel for Change in Vascular Biology

Frank M. Faraci

From the Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, Cardiovascular Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City.

Correspondence to Frank M. Faraci, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, E315-GH, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1081. E-mail frank-faraci@uiowa.edu

An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract.

Cells within the vessel wall have the capacity to produce a variety of reactive oxygen species (ROS: superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide [H₂O₂], hydroxyl radical, etc).^1–3 In diverse experimental models and in patients with disease, levels of ROS in blood vessels increase and contribute to vascular pathophysiology.^1–3 Although not widely appreciated initially, it has become increasing apparent that relatively low concentrations of ROS can function as signaling molecules,^4–7 and thus may be involved with normal regulation of vascular structure and function.

See page 2035

Superoxide can be produced by multiple enzymatic and non-enzymatic sources and is the precursor for many ROS including the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (Figure). In addition to the rate of production, steady state levels of ROS are also determined by the activity of an array of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutases (SOD) which convert superoxide to H₂O₂ (Figure).^8,9 H₂O₂ levels are regulated by catalase and a group of glutathione peroxidases which metabolize H₂O₂ to water (Figure).^7–10

View larger version (20K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Schematic summary of selected changes within the vessel wall in relation to H2O2. Superoxide (O2–) is produced from molecular oxygen by a variety of sources including NAD(P)H oxidase (Nox). Superoxide can react with nitric oxide (NO) to form peroxynitrite (ONOO–). H2O2 is formed from the activity of superoxide dismutases (SOD) or possibly directly by NAD(P)H oxidase containing Nox4. H2O2 can be degraded to water by glutathione peroxidases (GPx) or catalase (Cat). H2O2 can . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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