Mechanisms behind the atherothrombotic effects of acrolein, a review

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology 2019-07, Vol.129, p.38-53
• Main Authors: Zirak, Mohammad Reza, Mehri, Soghra, Karimani, Asieh, Zeinali, Majid, Hayes, A. Wallace, Karimi, Gholamreza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acrolein; Atherosclerosis; Dyslipidemia; Inflammation; Oxidative stress; Thrombosis
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.04.034

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. The majority of cardiovascular complications are secondary to atherosclerosis. Extensive evidence has showed that environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Acrolein, a highly reactive unsaturated aldehyde, is found as a contaminant in air, food and water. Investigations during the last decades have shown that acrolein via various mechanisms such as oxidative stress, enhancement of inflammatory processes and the activation of matrix metalloproteases can initiate and accelerate atherosclerotic lesions formation. Furthermore, exposure to acrolein has been suggested to induce or exacerbate systemic dyslipidemia, an important risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. Finally, there are reports which indicate acrolein can increase platelet activation and stimulation of the coagulation cascade which subsequently leads to thrombosis. Even a modest reduction of pollutants such as acrolein can have substantial effects on population health. Public health efforts to reduce acrolein exposures from known sources may lower the prevalence of vascular disease. This review focuses on the potential pathways and mechanisms behind the acrolein-induced atherothrombotic effects. •Acrolein in toxic compound could be present in some foods, air and cigarette smoke.•Acrolein via several mechanisms can interrupts endothelial cell permeability.•Acrolein may induce inflammatory pathways which involved in the pathogenesis of atheromatous plaque formation.•Acrolein could degrade the extra cellular matrix by activation of various Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).•Acrolein was shown might induce or exacerbate dyslipidemia in experimental studies.