Hypothyroidism and the aorta. evidence of increased oxidative DNA damage to the aorta of hypothyroid rats.

Abstract

Vascular oxidative stress seems to play a pivotal role in the evolution of vascular pathology. Hypothyroidism was associated with increased DNA oxidative damage to the aorta. Hypercholesterolemia and an increase in mean arterial pressure associated with hypothyroidism may have a contributive role in the accumulation of damage in nuclear DNA of the vascular wall. 8-Oxo-dG is one of the mutagenic base modifications produced in DNA. Although clinical studies in other tissues have indicated a direct correlation between in vivo 8-oxo-dG formation and pathological processes, its role on the vascular wall needs further investigation.