We are always exposed to oxidative stress, when oxygen is used for production
of energy for our daily activity. Mild to moderate oxidative stress affects
intracellular signal transduction, accelerating the protective system for
oxidation; thereby inflammatory cytokines are produced leading to increased
levels of acute phase proteins. Vascular endothelial cells protect the
vessels from oxidative stress, however, when they are damaged by shear
stress to the vascular wall, oxidation spreads into the subendothelial
matrix, leading to oxidation of low-density lipoproteins(LDL) accumulated
there. Oxidized LDL is easily and abundantly taken up into macrophages
via the scavenger receptors such as LOX-1, which leads to the formation
of atherosclerosis. Markers for oxidative stress in vivo are being sought
for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. There are a number
of parameters as candidates, and among them, we chose biopyrrins, oxidative
products of bilirubin, and have studied their role in coronary heart diseases.
Urinary excretions of biopyrrins are significantly elevated in patients
with coronary arterial stenosis and with ischemic changes on electrocardiogram.
Similar finding have been obtained in patients with vasospastic angina.
These findings suggest that markers for oxidative stress will be a good
laboratory test for evaluation of coronary heart diseases.
[Rinsho Byori 51 : 133`139, 2003]
*1Department of Clinical Sciences and Laboratory Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi 570-8507
yKey Wordszoxidative stress(_ปXgX)Claboratory test(ีฐธ)Ccardiovascular diseases(zยํพณ)Cbilirubin(rr)Coxidized LDL(_ป LDL)
*1ึผใศๅwีฐธใwC*2ฏ@ฎa@ธ(ง570-8507 ็๛sถฌ10-15)
E-mail :takahash@takii.kmu.ac.jp