Modulating an oxidative-inflammatory cascade: potential new treatment strategy for improving glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and vascular function

Type 2 diabetes is a result of derangement of homeostatic systems of metabolic control and immune defense. Increases in visceral fat and organ adipose, environmental factors and genetic predisposition create imbalances of these homeostatic mechanisms, ultimately leading to a condition in which the oxidative environment cannot be held in check. A significant imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses, a condition called to oxidative stress, ensues, leading to alterations in stress-signalling pathways and potentially end-organ damage. Oxidative stress and metabolic inflammation upregulate the expression pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tissue necrosis factor alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-6, as well as activating stress-sensitive kinases, such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphokinase C isoforms, mitogen-activated protein kinase and inhibitor of kappa B kinase. The JNK pathway (specifically JNK-1) appears to be a regulator that triggers the oxidative-inflammation cascade that, if left unchecked, can become chronic and cause abnormal glucose metabolism. This can lead to insulin resistance and dysfunction of the vasculature and pancreatic β-cell. The series of events set in motion by the interaction between metabolic inflammation and oxidative stress constitutes an ‘oxidative-inflammatory cascade’, a delicate balance driven by mediators of the immune and metabolic systems, maintained through a positive feedback loop. Modulating an oxidative-inflammation cascade may improve glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and vascular function, thereby slowing the development and progression to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.


Introduction
Type 2 diabetes is a multifactorial disease characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion and ⁄ or insulin action (1,2). These defects impact the utilisation of glucose and free fatty acids (FFA) by muscle, liver and adipose tissue. Factors that influence the development of chronic hyperglycaemia include genetic abnormalities; environmental causes, such as nutritional excess and lack of activity; increased hepatic production of glucose; increases in visceral fat; atherogenic dyslipidaemias; increased adiposity of muscle and liver; b-cell dysfunction; and, an imbalance of oxidation and inflammation, natural processes involved in maintaining a physiologic state. Long-term complications associated with chronic hyperglycaemia include microvascular disease, such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and macrovascular diseases, including fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease and stroke (1,2).
Understanding pathophysiologic processes that trigger the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) provides opportunities for designing pharmacologic interventions to target mediators of these processes. The goal of intervention is to improve short-term glucose metabolism, as measured by fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels; maintain long-term glycaemic control, as measured by reduction in haemoglobin A1C (A1C); and, provide longterm cardiovascular (CV) benefits. Early detection, intervention, and aggressive, long-term treatment of OnlineOpen: This article is available free online at www.blackwell-synergy.com S U M M A R Y Type 2 diabetes is a result of derangement of homeostatic systems of metabolic control and immune defense. Increases in visceral fat and organ adipose, environmental factors and genetic predisposition create imbalances of these homeostatic mechanisms, ultimately leading to a condition in which the oxidative environment cannot be held in check. A significant imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses, a condition called to oxidative stress, ensues, leading to alterations in stress-signalling pathways and potentially endorgan damage. Oxidative stress and metabolic inflammation upregulate the expression pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tissue necrosis factor alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-6, as well as activating stress-sensitive kinases, such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphokinase C isoforms, mitogen-activated protein kinase and inhibitor of kappa B kinase. The JNK pathway (specifically JNK-1) appears to be a regulator that triggers the oxidative-inflammation cascade that, if left unchecked, can become chronic and cause abnormal glucose metabolism. This can lead to insulin resistance and dysfunction of the vasculature and pancreatic b-cell. The series of events set in motion by the interaction between metabolic inflammation and oxidative stress constitutes an 'oxidativeinflammatory cascade', a delicate balance driven by mediators of the immune and metabolic systems, maintained through a positive feedback loop. Modulating an oxidative-inflammation cascade may improve glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and vascular function, thereby slowing the development and progression to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

Review Criteria
• This is not an exhaustive review but highlights key research papers that discuss mediators of inflammation and oxidative stress. • Medline and PubMed searched for terms: inflammation, oxidative stress, redox signalling, TNF-alpha, cardiovascular, metabolism, immunity, adhesion molecules, macrophage and insulin resistance (combinations used and key papers selected).

Message for the Clinic
Treatments that modulate mediators of the oxidation-inflammation cascade may represent strategies for improving glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, vascular function and pancreatic b-cell dysfunction. Increases in small-dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, leucocyte count, platelet count, fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, serum insulin concentrations, visceral adiposity and C-reactive protein represent clinical expressions of effects of mediators of inflammation and oxidative stress. Increases in systolic and ⁄ or diastolic blood pressure are also signs.
DM2 are essential to limit the risk of developing associated complications and improve the management and outcome of this disease. But what are some of the early clinical signs that may alert healthcare practitioners a patient may be at risk for developing diabetes? The amount of physical activity and their nutritional habits are two. Low physical activity and excessive nutrition lead to visceral adiposity, which can be related to negative outcomes. Other clinical signs can be more subtle, not as individual measures, but as a total clinical picture of impending pathophysiology. Laboratory results showing increases of small-dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C), triglycerides, leucocyte count, platelet count, fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, serum insulin concentrations and C-reactive protein (CRP) represent clinical expressions of the effects of mediators of inflammation and oxidative stress. Elevations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure elevations can also be signs.
This article is an introduction to the pathophysiologic consequences of inflammation and oxidative stress. Discussions will address how various mediators of inflammation and oxidative stress influence the development of insulin resistance, dysfunction of the vasculature and pancreatic b-cell dysfunction, and progression to DM2, and clinical signs that can be monitored to possibly provide early detection of these conditions.

Mediators of inflammation
Chronic inflammation associated with the metabolic and immune systems involves a network of cellular and systemic responses that integrate many complex signalling pathways (3). Mediators of these pathways include major stress hormones, noradrenaline and adrenaline and cortisol; angiotensin-II (ang-II); proinflammatory cytokines [e.g. tissue necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1b]; FFA, which enter the circulation as a result of lipolysis of adipose tissue; and, oxidised lipids (4). Each is an important regulator of pathways involving endocrine systems, metabolism and immune function, as well as being crucial components of tissue repair (2,5).
Environmental factors plus a genetic predisposition can increase adiposity, which is associated with both a localised and systemic chronic inflammation characterised by infiltration of inflammatory cells in adipose tissue, abnormal pro-inflammatory cytokine production and an increase in acute-phase reactants, such as CRP. This phenomenon, referred to as metainflammation (metabolic inflammation) (6), links homeostatic systems of metabolic control and immune defense, which have been highly preserved throughout evolution in numerous organisms and species. Increases in visceral fat and adiposity in target organs and the associated meta-inflammation create an imbalance of homeostatic mechanisms that attempt to maintain a physiologic state.

Mediators of oxidative stress
Oxidative stress is defined as a significant imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses. It leads to alterations in signalling pathways and to potential tissue damage (7,8). Generated as by-products of normal aerobic metabolism, ROS are metabolites of molecular oxygen (O 2 ). They include unstable oxygen radicals, including superoxide radical ( · O 2 ) ), nitric oxide radical ( · NO), hydroxyl radical ( · HO ) ) and non-radicals, such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), peroxynitrite (ONOO ) ) (9,10). In an attempt to neutralise oxidative stress, cells utilise antioxidant defenses that are comprised of enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds that determine redox balance (6). Enzymes include superoxide dismutase, catalase, thioredoxin, and glutathione peroxidase, and non-enzymatic compounds include glutathione, ascorbate and a-tocopherol (9,10) (see Figure 1).
Meta-inflammation and oxidative stress are integrally involved through the modulation and mediation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and ROS. Although usually regarded as toxic by-products of metabolism, ROS can serve as signalling functions involved in physiologic processes (11). For example, short-term exposures to low levels of ROS trigger activation of specific pathways, which can result in insulinomimetic effects (12). However, chronic exposure to ROS results in an imbalance of these effects, leading to the increased production of mediators that drive stress-signalling pathways and cause potential tissue damage of key target organs, such as the vasculature and pancreas (6). These effects can be measured by increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

Sources of oxidative stress
Increases in circulating FFA and hyperglycaemia, chief characteristics of DM2, can both lead to leakage of · O 2 ) from the mitochondrial respiration process and activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, a membrane-bound enzyme (13,14). NADPH oxidase, a major source of , and require NADPH oxidase to do so (14). The phagocytic oxidase produces several orders of magnitude of more · O 2 ) than does the NADPH oxidase from other cell types such as endothelial cells, VSMC and adipocytes (16). Overproduction of · O 2 ) appears to be the first and key event in the activation of other pathways and systems (e.g. immune and metabolic) involved in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction.

Oxidative-inflammatory cascade
Under conditions of health, cellular processes associated with oxidation and inflammation function as compensatory ⁄ homeostatic mechanisms that maintain a physiologic balance. However, when one mechanism chronically overwhelms the other, as may occur with environmental and ⁄ or endogenous stressors, the balance is shifted and the outcome can be detrimental (17). We propose the series of events set in motion by the interaction of inflammation and oxidative stress that leads to disease be referred to as the 'oxidative-inflammatory cascade (OIC)'. The OIC is a delicate balance modulated by mediators of the immune and metabolic systems and maintained through a positive feedback loop (18).
Within this cascade, ROS from the immune system, adipose tissue and mitochondria mediate ⁄ activate stress-sensitive kinases, such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) and inhibitor of kappa B kinase (IKK-b). These kinases activate the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-a, IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). The action of TNF-a, MCP-1 and IL-6, locally and ⁄ or systemically, further induces the production of ROS, thus potentiating the positive feedback loop (see Figure 2) (18).
Activation of PKC by glucose has been implicated in the regulation and activation of membrane-associated NADPH-dependent oxidases and subsequent production of · O 2 ) , whereas activation of IKK-b ultimately leads to the generation of nuclear factor kB (NF-kB), an important transcription factor that controls NADPH oxidase, numerous inflammatory cytokines and ultimately adhesion molecules, such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) (19). These adhesion molecules are ROS dependent and facilitate the attraction, adhesion and infiltration of white blood cells into sites of inflammation and the formation of vascular dysfunction (20). In a retrospective evaluation, individuals with diabetes tended to have higher leucocyte counts, irrespective of body mass , superoxide radical; · NO, nitric oxide radical; · HO ) , hydroxyl radical; H 2 O 2 , hydrogen peroxide; ONOO ) , peroxynitrite; NADPH, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate index (21). Thus, increases in leucocyte counts driven by ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 reactions and other mediators may be a clinical indicator of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Influence of OIC on the development of insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is an early event in the onset, and plays a critical role in the development of DM2 (22,23). Physiologically, insulin binds to its receptor on the cell surface of insulin sensitive tissues, such as muscle, liver and adipose tissue, and activates various insulin signalling pathways through tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins. The pathophysiology of IR involves the same complex network of insulin signalling pathways; however, attenuation of insulin's effect in target tissues (skeletal muscle, fat and liver) occurs (24). A clinical sign of IR is an increase in serum insulin levels.
Reactive oxygen species can damage cellular DNA, membranes, lipids, and proteins, and drive inflam-matory gene expression that inhibits metabolic pathways induced by insulin, leading to IR. Although numerous stress-sensitive kinases ⁄ pathways contribute to ROS generation, the JNK pathway (specifically JNK-1) appears to be a regulator of IR (14,25) through increased serine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and subsequent decrease in insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1. This mechanism is also believed to be the molecular basis of TNF-ainduced IR (26), leading one to conclude TNF-ainduced phenomena and JNK-1 activation are interrelated. Results of a study by Solinas et al. (27) reveal increases in mitochondrial ROS production and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 activity by TNFa-induced phenomena are associated with JNK-1 activation.
c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 also appears to be a major contributor of fat accumulation (perhaps through decreased energy consumption) and obesityinduced glucose intolerance, leading to chronic JNK activation, and creating a vicious cycle that fuels the progression to IR, vascular and b-cell dysfunction (26). This progression leads to chronic hyperglyca- Figure 2 Chronic hyperglycaemia, driven by nutritional excess and physical inactivity, greatly influences the positive feedback loop that drives mediators of meta-inflammation and oxidative stress, such as TNF-a, MCP-1, IL-6, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). These activate stress-sensitive signalling pathways, which include JNK, PKC, p38-MAPK and IKK-b. Activation of these pathways leads to insulin resistance and dysfunction of the b-cell dysfunction and vasculature. Insulin resistance and b-cell dysfunction cause an increase in blood glucose levels, which can create a vicious cycle leading to pathophysiology of target organs. If left unchecked, chronic hyperglycaemia eventually causes b-cell destruction (designated by the dotted line), leading to the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Potential areas for therapeutic intervention (designated by *) may modulate the mediators of the oxidation-inflammation cascade to improve glucose tolerance, b-cell dysfunction and vascular function, thereby slowing the development of type 2 diabetes. TNF-a, tissue necrosis factor-a; IL-6, interleukin-6; MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant factor-1; JNK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase; PKC, protein kinase C; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; IKK-b, inhibitor of kappa b kinase emia and an elevation in A1C, an indicator of glycaemic control. Approaches to ameliorate oxidative stress have improved IR and decreased A1C (28), leading one to conclude oxidative stress may be intricately involved in glucose metabolism.
Low-grade inflammation is associated with obesity because of chronic activation of the innate immune system (5,29). Meta-inflammation may be the common factor that links obesity to many of its pathological sequelae, such as IR, lipid accumulation and atherosclerosis. Experimentally, ROS is implicated in the development of obesity-induced IR. Systemic markers of oxidative stress are increased with adiposity because of dysregulation of adipocytes (30). Increased adiposity in target organs is associated with an accumulation of macrophages, which are a major source of TNF-a (31,32). Localised production of ROS by NADPH oxidase in adipose tissue increases oxidative stress in remote tissues, causing dysregulation of adipocytes, increasing secretion of TNFa, plasminogen-activating inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and MCP-1, resistin, and leptin; and, decreased secretion of adiponectin, leading to a worsening of IR (33).
Adiponectin is a circulating adipokine from adipose tissue that has salutary effects on insulin signalling and vascular function that is also known to suppress systemic and cellular ROS generation (34). Resistin and leptin are molecules that promote lipolysis and FFA fluxes from adipocytes, contributing to IR (28). Hyperglycaemia changes platelet function through macrophage release of TNF-a and an increase in PAI-1. PAI-1 increases platelet activation and aggregation, which play a significant role in the pathophysiology underlying vascular dysfunction and myocardial infarction.
Obesity is also associated with an increased density of angiotensin type 1 (AT-1) receptors (14). The causative ligand, ang-II, binds to these receptors to augment NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS production, leading to elevated circulating ROS levels that can impair insulin signalling (35) and have detrimental effects in organs, such as liver, skeletal muscle and vasculature (24,36). Clinical sign of this effect includes an increase in systolic and ⁄ or diastolic blood pressure.
Manipulation of mediators of oxidative stress can lead to disease modification both short-and longterm. In an experimental study by Warnholtz et al. (37), blocking the effects of ang-II on AT1 receptors not only inhibited NADPH oxidase and improved endothelial function, but also reduced early plaque formation. This suggests that oxidative stress plays a central role in the early stages of atherosclerosis and vascular dysfunction, especially when it can be blocked at the cellular level where the process is initiated (28).

OIC and vascular dysfunction
The endothelium is a continuous layer of cells that acts as a barrier between circulating factors, including hyperglycaemia, increased FFA, derivatives of glycation and oxidation, and cells of the arterial intima and media (38). The vasculature is a target for injury because oxidative stress can damage the endothelial layer, leading to meta-inflammation, leucocyte and platelet extravasation, vascular damage and atherosclerosis. To maintain the integrity of this barrier, endothelial cells produce NO, adenosine and plasminogen activator to counter the effects of procoagulant factors (e.g. fibrinogen and PAI-1) (39).
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, along with other enzymes (e.g. lipoxygenases, myeloperoxidase, inducible nitric oxide synthase), has also been shown to contribute to oxidation of LDL-C, resulting in oxidised LDL (oxLDL), although the exact mechanism is not known (40). After monocytes migrate although the endothelial layer into the intima, they differentiate into macrophages. The resulting in oxLDL is taken up by scavenger macrophage receptors on macrophages to produce oxLDLladen macrophages. These stimulate the production of MCP-1 (41) that triggers further macrophages ⁄ monocytes to migrate into the intima of arterial walls and organs and initiate the process of foam cell formation. Foam cells further increase the production of MCP-1 and other chemoattractants to perpetuate the vicious cycle of monocyte ⁄ macrophage migration, ultimately leading to oxidative stress in the intima.
Advanced glycation products (AGE) are products of intracellular auto-oxidation of glucose. Hyperglycaemia increases the production of AGE, which can contribute to the progression of diabetic complications, such as diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy (42). AGE also contributes to the OIC by binding to specific receptors for advanced glycation products on macrophages, increasing macrophage production of TNF-a. This pro-inflammatory mediator activates the immune system to further increase production of ROS, which leads to decreased bioavailability of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and subsequent impairment of endothelialdirected vasodilation and decreased vascular compliance (43,44). The end result is an increase in systolic and ⁄ or diastolic blood pressure.

Impact of OIC on b-cell dysfunction
As research has shown the impact of lipids on the progression of DM2, there has been a shift from the traditional 'glucocentric' view of diabetes to include a 'lipocentric' viewpoint (45). 'Lipocentric' holds that abnormalities in FFA metabolism may result in inappropriate accumulation of lipids in muscle, liver, and b-cells. It also proposes that ectopic lipid accumulation is involved in the development of IR in muscle and liver as well as impairing b-cell function (46). Glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity induce oxidative stress and upregulate the TNF-a and IL-6.
Research in the past few years has linked oxidative stress and inflammation to b-cell dysfunction (22,47) resulting from chronic exposure to hyperglycaemia, FFA or a combination of the two. This chronic exposure is dependent on the activation of NF-jB and other stress-sensitive pathways by mediators of oxidative stress (48). b-cells are vulnerable to cell destruction by oxidative stress because of: mitochondria drive production of ROS through increased NADPH oxidase activity; and, a relatively low expression of antioxidant enzymes in the b-cells (12,44,49).
c-Jun N-terminal kinase-mediated serine phosphorylation of IRS-1 inhibits glucose-induced insulin production in b-cells; therefore, evidence suggests activation of the JNK pathway is the main pathway involved in pancreatic b-cell dysfunction found in diabetes (50). A study of obese DM2 mice showed that suppression of the JNK pathway restored b-cell function and insulin sensitivity, and lead to amelioration of glucose tolerance (47). One might conclude that inhibiting the mediators of OIC that lead to b-cell dysfunction and allow the development and progression of DM2 may actually allow a reversal of the disease process.
Resetting the OIC to enhance glucose metabolism and reverse IR Modulation of OIC mechanisms involved in metabolic and immune processes can improve glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, improve vascular function. This mitigation may slow the development of DM2. How might interfering with one or more of these mediators modulate and reset the OIC, bringing pathophysiologic processes back into balance?
Tissue necrosis factor-a influences actions on endothelium, brain, b-cells, bone, muscle, and adipose, and drives production of ROS through interaction with macrophages and mitochondria; therefore, it may be considered a key target when attempting to reset the OIC balance, although IL-6 and MCP-1 are also involved. Cytokines derived from muscle (myokines) have been shown to be involved in protection against chronic diseases associated with low-grade inflammation, and in mediating the health-beneficial effects of exercise (51). All of these pro-inflammatory cytokines ⁄ enzymes stimulate production of ROS and all are maintained through a positive feedback loop.
Cytokines and ROS activate JNK, IKK-b, PKC and perhaps other stress-and inflammation-activated kinases in the pathogenesis of ROS-induced IR. As JNK-1 deficiency results in reduced adiposity and improved insulin sensitivity, this also may be a key regulator of the OIC. Thus, all these kinases might be attractive pharmacological targets for increasing insulin sensitivity and resetting the OIC (52).
A key enzyme involved in the formation of ROS is NADPH oxidase, which drives many cellular reactions in VSMC, mitochondria and endothelial cells. Depending on cell type, variations in the expression of isoforms of NADPH oxidase can differ. For example, phagocytic oxidase contains the specific membrane-bound catalytic subunit, Nox2 (as do endothelial cells and fibroblasts), which drives the reaction to produce · O 2 ) , whereas VSMC also contain Nox1 and Nox4 (53). The regulation of Nox activity is an active area of promising research. Hyperglycaemia has been shown to inhibit eNOS activity and expression in endothelial cells by increasing · O 2 ) production by mitochondria (54). Mitochondrial biogenesis in in vitro models is affected by TNF-a through downregulation of eNOS, and treatment with NO donors has been shown to reverse these effects. Defects of NO-induced mitochondrial biogenesis and a decreased peroxisome-proliferatoractivated receptor c co-activator 1a (PGC-1a) expression are relevant in the pathophysiology of CV disease linked to obesity. Therefore, several steps in mitochondrial processes may also be considered as targets for therapeutic intervention. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an enzyme that has been implicated in regulating glucose uptake, FFA oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis in heart, liver, and skeletal muscle (55,56). To increase efficiency of mitochondria, evidence suggests increases of AMPK from endothelial cells promotes oxidation of fatty acids as a source of ATP production, decreasing the production of · O 2 ) (46). Thus, this enzyme may be a key target in modulating the balance of the OIC. Exercise has been shown to increases NO synthesis through stimulation of PGC-1a, increasing oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial biosynthesis, and possibly improves glucose utilisation (57). The Diabetes Prevention Program study showed the combination of diet and exercise was effective in decreasing the incidence of DM2 in patients with impaired glucose tolerance compared with pharmacologic therapy (58). One could speculate that diet and exercise in this study population modulated regulators that comprise the OIC, to improve glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and patient outcomes.

Clinical evidence
Many classes of drugs possess antioxidant activity. These include antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin E, vitamin C and b-carotene; oestrogen and hormonal replacement therapy; and, drugs that impact the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) [e.g. angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)] (59).
Although evidence from preclinical studies of the effects of antioxidant vitamin therapy has been encouraging, results from clinical outcome studies, such as the vitamin E arm of the HOPE Study (60), the Heart Protection Study (61), GISSI Prevention (62) and the Primary Prevention Project (63) failed to show clinical benefit. Explanations for this lack of observed benefit in the majority of randomised trials include oxidant stress status of the participants and dose and combination of vitamins administered (64).
Large prospective-controlled clinical trials utilising hormone replacement therapy also failed to show CV benefits. These studies include HERS (65), Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis (66) and the Women's Health Initiative Randomised Controlled Trial (67).
However, other large-scale studies with drugs that possess antioxidant activity, specifically those that impact the RAAS, have shown benefit. In the ACE inhibitor arm of HOPE Study (68), there was a 34% reduction in the onset of new DM2. And in the LIFE Study (69), which compared an ARB to a b-blocker, there was a 25% in the onset on new DM2. We hypothesise these data differ from dietary antioxidant supplements in that blocking ROS generation at the cellular level is apparently more efficacious than reacting to systemic ROS with a dietary reagent.

Conclusions
The series of events set in motion by the interaction of inflammation and oxidative stress that lead to disease may be referred to as the OIC, a delicate balance modulated by mediators of the immune and metabolic systems and maintained through a positive feedback loop. Activation of stress-signalling pathways, such as JNK-1, IKK-b, PKC and perhaps other OICactivated kinases, may be involved in the pathogenesis of adiposity in target organs, vascular dysfunction, IR, b-cell dysfunction and possibly DM2. Identification of the molecular basis and additional sites of action for protection against oxidative stress-induced damage may lead to designing a therapy that can modulate and reset the delicate balance of the OIC. Various clinical signs can be indicators to clinicians that pathophysiology is underway. These signs include CRP, sdLDL-C, increased visceral adiposity, elevations in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and leucocyte count. Of course, these signs may, in and of themselves, not be meaningful; however, when taken in their totality, they can alert the clinician that the patient may be at an increased risk for a clinical event. Early detection and intervention can possibly improve glucose utilisation, lower the risk from hyperglycaemic insults, delay, reverse or prevent the onset of oxidative stress-induced insulin resistance, and provide longterm DM2 and CV morbidity and mortality benefits.