Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes and Atherosclerosis

Figure 4

Role of ROS in the development of atherosclerosis. ROS are produced by various pathways under diabetic conditions and involved in the development of atherosclerosis in various aspects. Hyperglycemia induces ROS through activation of the glycation reaction and electron transport chain in mitochondria. Also, AGEs, insulin, and angiotensin II induce ROS through activation of NADPH oxidase. Increased ROS are involved in the development of atherosclerosis in various aspects. First, ROS decrease nitric oxide levels, which leads to endothelial cell dysfunction. Second, ROS increase expression of various adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, which leads to inflammatory cell recruitment. Finally, ROS increase expression of various growth factors and activate various stress signaling such as JNK and Pim-1, which leads to proliferation of smooth muscle cell.