The oxidative stress profile and its relation to vascular function in a bi-ethnic cohort: the SABPA study

Abstract

Oxidative stress and inflammation has been implicated in arterial stiffness, and hypertension development. Oxidative stress may interfere with normal vascular function by inactivation of NO and/or the production of endothelin-1. Limited information exists regarding the link of NO and endothelin-1 with oxidative stress markers in black South Africans, a population known for early vascular compromise and increasing prevalence of hypertension. Our objective was to compare variables implicated in vascular function namely NO metabolites, endothelium-1 and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in a biethnic South African population. We also investigated the association of endothelin-1 with markers of oxidative stress implicated in arterial stiffness and endothelial function as well as if an increase in endothelin-1 levels over time predict a change in markers implicated in vascular function