[The role of oxidative stress and the preventive effect of free radical scavengers in arteriosclerosis].

The role of oxidative stress in the development of arteriosclerosis is well established. This pathogenetic explanation unificates in itself the lipid and thrombotic theories. The authors summarize the most substantial literary data in this relation, they discuss in details those therapic methods, in which the natural and synthetic antioxidants are involved as preventive drugs in the development and consequences of arteriosclerosis. Thus the effects of the dihydroquinoline type antioxidants as well as those of Vitamins A, C and E are discussed partly in experimental, partly in clinical studies. The authors conclude on the basis of own and literary data that the application of antioxidants could decrease the blood vessel alterations produced by arteriosclerosis, as well as the pathological tissue alterations developed in the consequences of ischaemia.