title: Targeting inflammation: impact on atherothrombosis.
abstract: Atherothrombosis is a worldwide epidemic accounting for an unacceptable toll of deaths and disabilities. Its pathophysiology is complex and hardly referable to a specific mechanism; however, in the last 20 years, a growing amount of evidence has demonstrated that inflammatory processes play a major role from the very beginning to the ultimate complication of atherothrombosis. These evidences are addressing a growing interest toward anti-inflammatory agents as preventive or curative treatments of atherothrombosis. At present, accumulated data are not conclusive, but strong evidence exists in favor of an anti-inflammatory positive effect for several drugs as statins or renin-angiotensin inhibitors. More conclusive data are expected from ongoing trials directly exploring the role of specific cytokines antagonists.
authors: Institute of Cardiology, Catholic University, Largo Vito, Rome, 00168, Italy.
authors: Maria Giulia
authors: MG
authors: Marini
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Sonnino
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Previtero
authors: Luigi M
authors: LM
authors: Biasucci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators