Significance: Oxidative stress, a crucial regulator of
vascular disease pathogenesis, may be involved in the vascular complications of
obesity, systemic
insulin resistance (IR), and
diabetes mellitus (DM). Recent Advances: Excessive production of
reactive oxygen species in the vascular wall has been linked with
vascular disease pathogenesis. Recent evidence has revealed that vascular redox state is dysregulated in cases of
obesity, systemic IR, and DM, potentially participating in the well-known vascular complications of these disease entities. Critical Issues: The detrimental effects of
obesity and the
metabolic syndrome on vascular biology have been extensively described at a clinical level. Further, vascular oxidative stress has often been associated with the presence of
obesity and IR as well as with a variety of detrimental vascular phenotypes. However, the mechanisms of vascular redox state regulation under conditions of
obesity and systemic IR, as well as their clinical relevance, are not adequately explored. In addition, the notion of vascular IR, and its relationship with systemic parameters of
obesity and systemic IR, is not fully understood. In this review, we present all the important components of vascular redox state and the evidence linking oxidative stress with
obesity and IR. Future Directions: Future studies are required to describe the cellular effects and the translational potential of vascular redox state in the context of
vascular disease. In addition, further elucidation of the direct vascular effects of
obesity and IR is required for better management of the vascular complications of DM.