International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Reactive Oxygen Species in Venous Thrombosis 1 2 3 3, 3, , Clemens Gutmann , Richard Siow , Adam M. Gwozdz , Prakash Saha y and Alberto Smith y * 1 King’s British Heart Foundation Centre, King’s College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK;
[email protected] 2 Vascular Biology & Inflammation Section, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, British Heart Foundation of Research Excellence, King’s College London, SE1 9NH, UK;
[email protected] 3 Academic Department of Surgery, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, British Heart Foundation of Research Excellence, King’s College London, London SE1 7EH, UK;
[email protected] (A.M.G.);
[email protected] (P.S.) * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +44-207-188-0216 These two authors contribute equally to this work. y Received: 14 February 2020; Accepted: 4 March 2020; Published: 11 March 2020 Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have physiological roles as second messengers, but can also exert detrimental modifications on DNA, proteins and lipids if resulting from enhanced generation or reduced antioxidant defense (oxidative stress). Venous thrombus (DVT) formation and resolution are influenced by ROS through modulation of the coagulation, fibrinolysis, proteolysis and the complement system, as well as the regulation of effector cells such as platelets, endothelial cells, erythrocytes, neutrophils, mast cells, monocytes and fibroblasts. Many conditions that carry an elevated risk of venous thrombosis, such as the Antiphospholipid Syndrome, have alterations in their redox homeostasis. Dietary and pharmacological antioxidants can modulate several important processes involved in DVT formation, but their overall effect is unknown and there are no recommendations regarding their use.