Table of Contents

Background.- The Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis.- Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease.- Metabolic Syndrome: Therapeutic Considerations.- 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 Stanols.- Carbohydrates and Dietary Fiber.- Dietary Antioxidants and Paraoxonases Against LDL Oxidation and Atherosclerosis Development.- Soy, Isoflavones and Atherosclerosis.- Homocysteine and B Vitamins.- Alcohol.- Evidence-Based Anti-Atherosclerotic Drug Therapy.- Lipid and Non-lipid Effects of Statins.- Fibrates.- ACE Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists.- Inhibition of Platelet Activation and Aggregation.- 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 High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Metabolism and Reverse Cholesterol Transport.- Inhibition of Lipoprotein Lipid 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 of 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.