Possible Role of Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Hypertension

Possible Role of Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Hypertension
Antonio Ceriello

Diabetes Care February 2008 vol. 31 no. Supplement 2 S181-S184

Recently oxidative stress has been proposed as the cause of hypertension. An imbalance in superoxide and nitric oxide production may account for reduced vasodilation, which in turn can favor the development of hypertension. In vitro and in human studies support this hypothesis. The supplementation of antioxidants, particularly in the form of fresh fruit and vegetables, reduces blood pressure, supporting a role for free radicals in hypertension.