Research progress of iron-related oxidative stress and cellular senescence in cardiovascular diseases

Iron, as one of the essential microelements, is a cofactor of many chemical processes in the human body. However, when free iron is accumulated excessively in the body, a large number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxygen metabolic by-products will be produced through the Fenton reaction, which will cause oxidative stress when the regulation is out of balance. It is worth noting that oxidative stress is a driver of cell senescence which is characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest and is related to various physiological processes and a wide range of age-related diseases. This review summarizes the relationship between iron-related oxidative stress and aging and their pathological roles in cardiovascular diseases.