This collection of articles on oxidative stress in clinical practice surveys essential current research in what is a rapidly evolving field. As well as giving the reader a mechanistic overview of how oxidative stress affects cardiovascular disease, it analyzes the potential of a number of therapeutic options that target these pathways. Understanding the complexity of the cellular redox system could lead to the development of better targeted interventions that facilitate patient recovery. Even as large-scale clinical trials of so-called 'simple' antioxidant approaches such as vitamins C and E show that significant benefits for cardiovascular patients remain elusive, Studies on Cardiovascular Disorders demonstrates that such approaches are too simplistic. Beginning with a summary of redox signaling models that could induce the progression of redox-associated cardiovascular disorders, the volume moves on to examine redox-mediated protein modification under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. It provides an outline of the signaling pathways in cardiovascular development during embryogenesis, and what impact these might have in the differentiation process of resident cardiac and blastocyst derived stem cells. Further chapters detail our current knowledge of the influence the sensory nervous system exerts on the cardiovascular system, and the paradoxical role of mitochondria-derived ROS in cardiac protection. In all, almost 30 contributions cover issues as diverse as the antioxidant properties of statins in the heart and the oxidative risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women. A range of medical practitioners will find the contents of Studies on Cardiovascular Disorders provides illuminating insight into the Janus-faced role of ROS in the cardiovascular system.

Zusammenfassung
The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cardiovascular system is Jan- faced. Whereas low concentrations of ROS are involved in variety of physiological signalling events, oxidative stress resulting from deregulated overproduction of ROS and/or impaired antioxidant defences contributes to cardiovascular disease. The actions of ROS in the cardiovascular system are a fascinating topic, not only for the basic science researcher but also for the clinician who is interested in seeking new therapies for his patients suffering from cardiovascular disease. The current book provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms and pathoph- iological settings in which chronic and detrimental oxidative stress arises within the heart and vasculature. The book also considers currently discussed strategies in avoiding chronic redox stress resulting from exposure to risk factors or various cardiovascular interventions. The series starts with an overview by Denise de Castro Fernandes, Diego Bonatto and Francisco Laurindo of redox signaling models that could underlie the dev- opment of redox-associated cardiovascular disorders. The interactions of proteins within signalling cascades with ROS and the regulation of such interactions by the anti-oxidative capacity of the cell are discussed. Rebecca Charles, Joseph Burgoyne and Philip Eaton report on redox-mediated modi cations of proteins under ph- iological and pathophysiological conditions and the variety of post-translational oxidative modi cations that explain redox sensing and signal transduction by proteins at the molecular level. ROS are generated during embryogenesis and may be involved in the proper development of the cardiovascular system.

Inhalt
The Evolving Concept of Oxidative Stress.- Mechanisms of Redox Signaling in Cardiovascular Disease.- Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species in Cardiovascular Differentiation of Stem Cells.- Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and the Sensory Neurovascular Component.- Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species in Myocardial Pre- and Postconditioning.- Coenzyme Q9/Q10 and the Healthy Heart.- Oxidative and Proteolytic Stress in Homocysteine-Associated Cardiovascular Diseases.- Functional Studies of NADPH Oxidases in Human Vasculature.- Relationship of the CYBA Gene Polymorphisms with Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Risk.- Redox-Related Genetic Markers of Cardiovascular Diseases.- NADPH Oxidases and Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Stroke.- Smoking-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Diseases.- Oxidative Stress in Vascular Aging.- Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetes Mellitus.- Reactive Oxygen Species, Oxidative Stress, and Hypertension.- Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Role of STAT-3 and Reactive Oxygen Species.- Oxidative Stress and Inflammation after Coronary Angiography.- Oxidative Stress in Cardiac Transplantation.- Oxidative Stress and Atrial Fibrillation.- Oxidative Stress and the Antioxidative Capacity in Myocardial Infarction.- Oxidative Stress and Redox Signalling in Cardiac Remodelling.- Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Fibrosis.- Oxidative Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Women.- Protective Effects of Food on Cardiovascular Diseases.- Novel Synthetic Antioxidants and Nitrated Lipids: From Physiology to Therapeutic Implications.- Thioredoxin in the Cardiovascular SystemTowards a Thioredoxin-Based Antioxidative Therapy.- The Protective Effect of Melatonin on the Heart.- Exercise-Induced Cardioprotection: Overviewwith an Emphasis on the Role of Antioxidants.- Antioxidative Properties of Statins in the Heart.