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Atherosclerosis: An overview
Author(s) -
Comai K.,
Feldman D. L.,
Goldstein A. L.,
Hamilton J. G.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
drug development research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1098-2299
pISSN - 0272-4391
DOI - 10.1002/ddr.430060203
Subject(s) - macrophage , lesion , asymptomatic , proteases , foam cell , disease , inflammation , cholesterol , medicine , bioinformatics , biology , immunology , pathology , in vitro , biochemistry , enzyme
Atherosclerosis is a generalized disease of the arterial system that develops slowly and is symptomless until lesions have become sufficiently large and complicated to cause ischemia. The personal and economic costs of atherosclerosis are enormous. There is a consensus among experts and data from recent long‐term studies to indicate that reduction in the primary risk factors (elevated plasma cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and smoking) leads to effective management of asymptomatic individuals at risk. Research has also led to an understanding of cholesterol metabolism and clearance pathways from some tissues. However, the factors regulating cholesterol influx and efflux from the arterial wall are currently poorly understood. The role of the monocyte/macrophage in the genesis of the atherosclerotic lesion is receiving renewed attention. The secretory products of the macrophage contain proteases and growth factors capable of causing tissue destruction and cell proliferation, two important components of advanced lesions. Recent advances in cell culture technique have allowed the in vitro growth and/or passage of all the cell types implicated in the development of the lesion. The efficacy of antiatherosclerotic agents must ultimately be proven in man. However, a battery of animal models has been developed over a period of 30 years, which when used appropriately might predict the utility of a drug in man.