Novel risk markers and mediators in coronary disease and stroke.

Abstract

Download the Issue @ a Glance podcast Subscribe to the EHJ Podcast ![Graphic][1] For research and clinical application, the central role of oxidative signalling in cardiovascular pathophysiology1–6 positions measures of the redox state conceptually as ideal biomarkers. Despite this overwhelming biological plausibility, no redox biomarker is currently in clinical use, nor have antioxidants provided any clinical benefit in large trials. Recent insights into the mechanistic complexities of redox signalling may lead to the identification of clinically useful markers. Advances with the greatest potential include assays measuring post-translational oxidative modifications of essential proteins affecting cellular function. However, analytical issues, including the relative instability of redox-modified products, remain a major technical challenge. In a timely Clinical Review article entitled ‘ Redox biomarkers in cardiovascular medicine ’, Gemma Alexandra Figtree from the Kolling Institute, University of Sydney in Australia reviews this promising area and discusses both established and recently identified biomarkers of redox signalling. Despite the current lack of redox biomarkers in clinical application, the integral role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease provides a strong incentive for continued research efforts in this field.7 Epidemiological studies suggest a relationship between pathological events during foetal development and future cardiovascular risk. To describe this phenomenon, the term ‘foetal programming of cardiovascular disease’ has been coined. In a second Clinical Review article ‘ Cardiovascular dysfunction in children conceived by assisted reproductive technologies ’ by Urs Scherrer from the University Hospital of Bern in Switzerland,8 emerging evidence indicating that assisted reproductive technologies represent a novel, hitherto unrecognized example of foetal programming is discussed. Of note, the use of assisted reproductive technologies is growing exponentially, and 2–5% of children are now born with the help of this procedure. Assisted reproductive technologies may modify the cardiovascular … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif