Oxidative Stress in Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Diseases

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Outcomes of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 6696

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
Interests: natural products; vascular diseases; metabolic disorders; pharmacology; biological activity
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Guest Editor
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200437, China
Interests: cardiovascular diseases; inflammation; obesity; hypertension; adipose tissue dysfunction; immunity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide at regulated levels play physiological functions by maintaining normal cellular redox signaling. By contrast, a disturbed balance between ROS production and detoxification of reactive intermediates results in excessive oxidative stress. Various mechanisms, including mitochondrial dysfunction, excessive glycolytic metabolism, activation of the innate and adaptive inflammatory responses, endoplasmic reticulum stress and hypoxia, can lead to oxidative stress. Cellular generation of ROS and oxidative damage are associated with the development and progression of the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and heart failure.

Evaluating the role of oxidative stress in dysregulation of redox-sensitive biological pathways in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases is an area of great interest, so as to increase knowledge and lead to the development of innovative approaches to counteracting excess oxidative stress to improve or avoid oxidative stress-related effects. This Special Issue calls for original research and full reviews that address the progress and provide novel findings on the importance of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of diseases and new therapeutic strategies.

Contributions need not be limited to the fields mentioned in the keywords. We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Anna Wai San Cheang
Prof. Dr. Cheng-Chao Ruan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • oxidative stress
  • metabolic disorders
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • antioxidant therapeutic strategies
  • natural and chemical antioxidants

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 5349 KiB  
Article
Green Tea Pressurized Hot Water Extract in Atherosclerosis: A Multi-Approach Study on Cellular, Animal, and Molecular Mechanisms
by Rahni Hossain, Anawat Kongchain, Moragot Chatatikun, Wiyada Kwanhian Klangbud, Chutha Takahashi Yupanqui, Hideyuki J. Majima, Hiroko P. Indo, Pradoldej Sompol, Nazim Sekeroglu, Atthaphong Phongphithakchai and Jitbanjong Tangpong
Antioxidants 2025, 14(4), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14040404 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 469
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a persistent inflammatory disorder influenced by oxidative stress and lipid imbalances, and it continues to be a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases. Rich in catechins and flavonoids, green tea pressurized hot water extract (GPHWE) demonstrated potent antioxidant activity through DPPH, ABTS, [...] Read more.
Atherosclerosis is a persistent inflammatory disorder influenced by oxidative stress and lipid imbalances, and it continues to be a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases. Rich in catechins and flavonoids, green tea pressurized hot water extract (GPHWE) demonstrated potent antioxidant activity through DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl, and nitric oxide scavenging assays. In vitro, GPHWE protected RAW264.7 macrophages from oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL)-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis by mitigating oxidative stress and enhancing cell survival. Animal studies using mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) revealed notable improvements in lipid profiles, including decreases in total cholesterol, LDL, the atherosclerosis index (AI), the coronary risk index (CRI), and triglycerides, as well as lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of oxidative stress. These results were comparable to those achieved with Simvastatin. Molecular docking studies indicated strong binding affinities of catechins to essential targets such as LOX-1, HMG-CoA reductase, caspase-3, and Nrf2, implying that the mechanisms of GPHWE involve antioxidant properties, regulation of lipids, and stabilization of plaques. The catechins of GPHWE, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin (EGC), were tentatively identified through qualitative analysis performed by UHPLC-QTOF-MS. This comprehensive approach positions GPHWE as a promising natural remedy for preventing atherosclerosis and reducing cardiovascular risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Diseases)
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17 pages, 4016 KiB  
Article
Portulaca Oleracea L. (Purslane) Extract Protects Endothelial Function by Reducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Oxidative Stress through AMPK Activation in Diabetic Obese Mice
by Lingchao Miao, Chunxiu Zhou, Haolin Zhang, Meng Sam Cheong, Yi Tan, Yuehan Wang, Xutao Zhang, Hua Yu and Wai San Cheang
Antioxidants 2023, 12(12), 2132; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12122132 - 18 Dec 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2562
Abstract
Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a food and a traditional drug worldwide. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-tumor, and anti-diabetic bioactivities; but its activity on diabetic-associated endothelial dysfunction is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of purslane on endothelial function and the [...] Read more.
Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a food and a traditional drug worldwide. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-tumor, and anti-diabetic bioactivities; but its activity on diabetic-associated endothelial dysfunction is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of purslane on endothelial function and the underlying mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice had 14-week ad libitum access to a high-fat rodent diet containing 60% kcal% fat to induce obesity and diabetes whereas purslane extract (200 mg/kg/day) was administered during the last 4 weeks via intragastric gavage. Primary rat aortic endothelial cells and isolated mouse aortas were cultured with a risk factor, high glucose or tunicamycin, together with purslane extract. By ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, flavonoids and their glycoside products were identified in the purslane extract. Exposure to high glucose or tunicamycin impaired acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations in aortas and induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress with the downregulation of 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/ endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling. Co-incubation with purslane significantly ameliorated these impairments. The effects of purslane were abolished by Compound C (AMPK inhibitor). Four-week purslane treatment ameliorated aortic relaxations, ER stress, and oxidative stress in diabetic obese mice. This study supported that purslane protected endothelial function, and inhibited ER stress and oxidative stress in vasculature through AMPK/eNOS activation, revealing its therapeutic potential against vascular complications in diabetes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Diseases)
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16 pages, 2673 KiB  
Article
AMPK-Dependent YAP Inhibition Mediates the Protective Effect of Metformin against Obesity-Associated Endothelial Dysfunction and Inflammation
by Lijing Kang, Juanjuan Yi, Chi-Wai Lau, Lei He, Qinghua Chen, Suowen Xu, Jun Li, Yin Xia, Yuanting Zhang, Yu Huang and Li Wang
Antioxidants 2023, 12(9), 1681; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12091681 - 28 Aug 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2728
Abstract
Hyperglycemia is a crucial risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Chronic inflammation is a central characteristic of obesity, leading to many of its complications. Recent studies have shown that high glucose activates Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) by suppressing AMPK activity in breast cancer cells. [...] Read more.
Hyperglycemia is a crucial risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Chronic inflammation is a central characteristic of obesity, leading to many of its complications. Recent studies have shown that high glucose activates Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) by suppressing AMPK activity in breast cancer cells. Metformin is a commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drug best known for its AMPK-activating effect. However, the role of YAP in the vasoprotective effect of metformin in diabetic endothelial cell dysfunction is still unknown. The present study aimed to investigate whether YAP activation plays a role in obesity-associated endothelial dysfunction and inflammation and examine whether the vasoprotective effect of metformin is related to YAP inhibition. Reanalysis of the clinical sequencing data revealed YAP signaling, and the YAP target genes CTGF and CYR61 were upregulated in aortic endothelial cells and retinal fibrovascular membranes from diabetic patients. YAP overexpression impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations (EDRs) in isolated mouse aortas and increased the expression of YAP target genes and inflammatory markers in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). High glucose-activated YAP in HUVECs and aortas was accompanied by increased production of oxygen-reactive species. AMPK inhibition was found to induce YAP activation, resulting in increased JNK activity. Metformin activated AMPK and promoted YAP phosphorylation, ultimately improving EDRs and suppressing the JNK activity. Targeting the AMPK–YAP–JNK axis could become a therapeutic strategy for alleviating vascular dysfunction in obesity and diabetes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Diseases)
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