| Abstract: |
The concept of inflammation occupies the central position inthe pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, but there is still lacking inthe knowledge of the inciting factors. oxLDL and other biologicallyactive moieties localize in the lipid core of the atheroma, and thesemodified lipids induce the expression of adhesion molecules,chemokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages andendothelium. LDL, ~- VLDL and IDL particles also can undergooxidative modification and may themselves activate inflammatoryfunction of vascular endothelial cells. There IS increasinginterest in plasma biomarkers, especially those which are markers ofinflammation and the atherosclerotic process. Among thesebiomarkers, the majority of work has focused on investigating C-reactive protein, but there are several other plasma biomarkers thatare postulated to have a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis,such as SAA, fibrinogen, complement protein, cell adhesionmolecules.In addition to servmg as potential mediators ofatherosclerosis, oxidants and/or oxidative products may also serve asuseful biomarkers to allow more precise assessment ofcardiovascular risk, such as myeloperoxidase, lipoprotein-associatedphospholipase A2, oxidized phospholipids (OXPL), isoprostanes.
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