MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF THE ANTI-OXIDANT EFFECT IN THE TREATMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASES

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 20  (8) , 48-52
Abstract
Because there is a regulatory connection between the changes in the composition of lipids and the rate of peroxide oxidation in them, antioxidants may act as modifiers of the structure and function of membranes. The administration of antioxidants to mice promotes the accumulation of easily-oxidized nonsaturated phospholipids in the membrane lipids and leads to an increase in the fluidity of the membrane lipid bilayer. During the development of pathological conditions attended by intensified lipid peroxide oxidation, particularly in ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis, antioxidants cause a therapeutic effect because they inhibit peroxide oxidation of lipids and normalize the composition of the membrane lipids and their functional activity.