The role of ROS/RNS signaling in cardiovascular functions and diseases is increasingly emerging in the last decades. The involvement of ROS/RNS in the control of a large number of cardiovascular functions like the regulation of the vascular tone, the control of blood pressure or myocyte excitation-contraction coupling and force development has been broadly investigated and in part clarified. On the other hand, many efforts have been focused in clarifying the redox mechanisms involved in cardiovascular diseases like ischemia/reperfusion injury, diabetes-associated cardiovascular dysfunctions, atherosclerosis or hypertension, just to mention the major ones. However, in most cases the two levels of investigation remain separate and not interlaced, failing in the attempt to provide a unified vision of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases. The major aim of the Research Topic has been to collect original papers and review articles dealing with the issue from basic to translation research point of views. The topic includes contributions that highlight different interesting aspects of cardiovascular biology with an integrated approach useful for the development of new ideas and advancements in the field of redox signaling in the control of normal cardiovascular functions and their disruption in diseases.

ROS were long considered one of the key players in tissue injury. Indeed, overproduction of ROS results in oxidative stress, a process leading to the development of many pathological conditions. For the treatment of these conditions, the use of antioxidants was proposed. Over time, it was shown that ROS at low concentrations act as signaling molecules, leading to the regulation of physiological functions. Moreover, several interventions that increase ROS generation activate stress-adaptive responses that extend the lifespan. It was also shown that excessive use of antioxidants can counter the beneficial effects of ROS. Currently, much progress has been made in understanding the role of ROS in human diseases and aging, as well as in the regulation of physiological functions, and in identifying the signaling pathways involved in ROS. However, much remains to be understood about the mutual interactions among signaling pathways underlying organisms’ adaptive responses, their modifications (which occur during aging), and some disease states. The aim of this Special Issue is to underline the effects of ROS production and antioxidant treatment in living organisms, focusing on their impact on health, disease, and aging.

Blood Oxidant Ties: The Evolving Concepts in Myocardial Injury and Cardiovascular Disease is an update on the recent advances in the development of antioxidant-based therapies. It starts with an overview of the mechanisms underlying the genesis of oxidative stress, summarizing the link between oxidative stress and a number of cardiovascular conditions. This is followed by an explanation of how oxidative stress interacts with lipid metabolism and the placental environment. Three chapters on the role of antioxidant-based therapy for cardiovascular diseases round up the book. Key Features - Outlines several cell-signaling pathways that are modulated by the interplay between reducing and oxidizing agents (redox status) and gene expression in the cardiovascular disease process - Brings information about maternal programming environment in the placenta - Covers development of novel nanotechnology-based antioxidant delivery systems for effective drug delivery - Includes references for further reading The book is aimed at a broad readership of scientific and medical professionals involved in research on cardiovascular diseases, pathophysiology, pharmacy, pharmaceutical science and life sciences. It also serves as a reference for scholars who want to understand the complex biochemical mechanisms of antioxidant agents.

Muscle: Fundamental Biology and Mechanisms of Disease will be the first reference covering cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle in fundamental, basic science, translational biology, disease mechanism, and therapeutics. Currently there are no publications covering the science behind the medicine, as the majority of books are 90% clinical and 10% science. Muscle: Fundamental Biology and Mechanisms of Disease will discuss myocyte biology, also known as muscle cell biology, providing information about the science behind clinical work and therapeutics with a 90% science and 10% clinical focus. A needed resource for researchers, clinical professionals, postdocs, and graduate students, this publication will further discuss basic biology development and physiology, how processes go awry in disease states, and how the defective pathways are targeted for therapy. This book will assist both the new and experienced clinician's and researcher's need for science translation of background research into clinical applications, bridging the gap between research and clinical knowledge.

Heat Shock Proteins and Whole Body Physiology is an exciting new book in the Heat Shock Proteins series which provides the most up-to-date review on novel mechanisms insights into the important role played by heat shock proteins in human physiology. Written by leaders in the field of heat shock protein exercise physiology, neuroscience and aging, the chapters systematically and in a step wise fashion takes the reader through the fascinating mechanisms by which heat shock proteins modulate human disease and pathophysiology and provides answers as to its biological significance to the host. Section I, introduces the readers to the role played by heat shock proteins in various diseases and disorders (Heat Shock Proteins and Disease). Section II, addresses the role heat shock proteins play in psychological disorders including post traumatic stress disorders and learning (Heat Shock Proteins and Psychological Stress). Section III, present a detailed review of the role played by heat shock proteins in exercise physiology (Heat Shock Proteins and Exercise Physiology). This book is a must read for heat shock protein researchers, graduate and postgraduate fellows in the field of Medicine in general and specialities in Excersie Physiology, Neuroscience, Immunology, Aging and Pathology.

This book highlights the multifaceted roles of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in modulating normal cellular and molecular mechanisms during the development of different types of heart disease. Each chapter in the book deals with the role that altered redox homeostasis plays in the pathophysiology of heart disease. In addition, the book explains how reactive oxidant species interact with their targets and provides novel strategies for attenuating oxidative stress-induced types of heart disease. The book not only covers ROS-induced response in heart disease at the cellular level, but also demonstrates that an imbalance of redox states has its roots in our genes, and explains the ways gene expression is regulated. In turn, it reviews potential sources of ROS, their pathological effects on the heart, and potential sites for therapeutic interventions.

Stress impacts the daily lives of humans and all species on Earth.Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pathology, the third volume of the Handbook of Stress series, covers stress-related or induced physiology, biochemistry, and pathology. Integrated closely with new behavioral findings and relevance to human conditions, the concepts and data in this volume offer readers cutting-edge information on the physiology of stress.A sequel to Elsevier's Encyclopedia of Stress (2000 and 2007), this Handbook of Stress series covers the many significant advances made since then and comprises self-contained volumes that each focus on a specific area within the field of stress. Targeted at scientific and clinical researchers in neuroendocrinology, neuroscience, biomedicine, endocrinology, psychology, psychiatry, the social sciences, and stress and its management in the workplace, this volume and series are ideal for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty interested in stress and its consequences. - Chapters offer impressive scope, with topics addressing stress-related or induced physiology, biochemistry, and pathology - Articles carefully selected by eminent stress researchers and prepared by contributors representing outstanding scholarship in the field, with each chapter fully vetted for reliable expert knowledge - Richly illustrated with explanatory figures and tables - Each chapter has a boxed "Key points call out section - The volume is fully indexed - All chapters are electronically available via ScienceDirect - Affordably priced, self-contained volume for readers specifically interested in the physiology, biochemistry and pathology of stress, avoiding the need to purchase the whole Handbook series

Endothelial Signaling in Vascular Dysfunction and Disease: From Bench to Bedside provides a detailed understanding of the endothelium, its activation and their link to some common clinical disorders. In addition, the book covers earlier discoveries, including those from the last and 19th centuries. It is split into five sections that cover the vascular tree as an integrative structure, the endothelium in inflammation, endothelial signaling, activation and toxicity with chemotherapy, radiation induced endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease, and therapies in combating vascular diseases. Each section is discussed with a translational approach in order to make the content truly applicable. This book is a valuable source for basic researchers, clinicians in the fields of Oncology, Cardiovascular Medicine and Radiology, and members of the biomedical field who are conducting studies related to the endothelium and vascular disease. - Discusses the most relevant discoveries in endothelial biology and their link to manifestations of clinical disease - Presents history and diagrams in each section to highlight the original biological discovery and its link of clinical manifestations of vascular disease - Includes recent findings on the relationship between endothelial signaling, chemotherapy and radiation induced endothelial dysfunction

"This volume presents manuscripts stemming from the '4th International Conference on Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress and Disease,' held on October 29-30, 2009 at the New York Academy of Sciences"--Contents

This book provides an up-to-date overview of redox signaling in plant cells and its key role in responses to different stresses. The chapters, which are original works or reviews, focus on redox signaling states; cellular tolerance under different biotic and abiotic stresses; cellular redox homeostasis as a central modulator; redox homeostasis and reactive oxygen species (ROS); redox balance in chloroplasts and mitochondria; oxidative stress and its role in peroxisome homeostasis; glutathione-related enzyme systems and metabolism under metal stress; and abiotic stress-induced redox changes and programmed cell death. The book is an invaluable source of information for plant scientists and students interested in redox state chemistry and cellular tolerance in plants.