Table of Contents

Part 1: Background. The Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis. Risk Factors of Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease. Metabolic Syndrome: Therapeutic Considerations. Part 2: The Impact of Diet. Physical Activity, Obesity and Cardiovascular Diseases. Fatty Acids and Atherosclerotic Risk. Dietary Cholesterol, Atherosclerosis and Coronary Heart Disease. Plant Sterols and Stenols. Carbohydrates and Fibres. Dietary Antioxidants and Paraxonases against LDL Oxidation and Atherosclerosis Development. Soy, Isoflavones and Atherosclerosis. Homocysteine and B Vitamins. Alcohol. Part 3: Evidence-Based Anti-Atherosclerotic Drug Therapy. Lipid and Non-Lipid Effects of Statins. Fibrates. ACE Inhibitors and Angiotension II Receptor Antagonists. Inhibition of Platelet Activation and Aggregation. Part 4: Targets of Future Anti-Atherosclerotic Drug Therapy. The ABC of Hepatic and Intestinal Cholesterol Transport. Inhibition of the Synthesis of Apolipoprotein B Containing Lipoproteins. Therapy of Hyper-Lp(a). Modulation of HDL Metabolism and Reverse Cholesterol Transport. Inhibition of Lipoprotein Oxidation. Correction of Insulin Resistance and the Metabolic Syndrome. Protection of Endothelial Function. Modulation of Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration - Role of Smooth Muscle Cell Heterogeneity. Modulation of Macrophage Function and Metabolism. Inflammation is a Crucial Feature of Atherosclerosis and a Potential Target to Reduce Cardiovascular Events. Autoimmune Mechanisms in Atherosclerosis. Drug Therapies to Prevent Coronary Plaque Rupture and Erosion - Present and Future. Reciprocal Role of Vasculogenic Factors and Progenitor Cells in Atherogenesis. Gene Therapy of Atherosclerosis.