[Molecular mechanisms of the action of antioxidants in treating cardiovascular diseases].

Because there is a regulatory connection between the changes in the composition of lipids and the rate of peroxide oxidation in them, anti-oxidants may act as modifiers of the structure and function of membranes. It is shown that the administration of anti-oxidants to animals promotes the accumulation of easily-oxidized nonsaturated phospholipids in the membrane lipids and leads to an increase in the fluidity of the membrane lipid bilayer. During the development of pathological conditions attended by intensified lipid peroxide oxidation, particularly in ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, anti-oxidants cause a therapeutic effect because they inhibit peroxide oxidation of lipids and normalize the composition of the membrane lipids and their functional activity.