Inflammation in atherosclerosis and implications for therapy.
Atherosclerosis is now understood to be a disease characterized by inflammation that results in a host of complications, including ischemia, acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina pectoris and myocardial infarction), and stroke. Inflammation may be caused by a response to oxidized low-density lipoproteins, chronic infection, or other factors; and markers of this process, such as C-reactive protein, may be useful to predict an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Thus, we believe that inflammatory processes may be potential targets of therapy in preventing or treating atherosclerosis and its complications.
Paoletti
Rodolfo
R
Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy. rodolfo.paoletti@unimi.it
Gotto
Antonio M
AM
Hajjar
David P
DP
D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000150:complications; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D004032:Diet; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D009569:Nitric Oxide