open access
The concept of unstable atherosclerotic plaque and pharmacological therapeutic strategies
open access
Abstract
The main cause of mortality in Poland are diseases of the cardiovascular system. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is the beginning of atherosclerosis development. Atherosclerosis, as an inflammatory process involving the vessel wall, evolves through multiple signaling pathways. While the dyslipidemia accelerate its development. Also, blood flow disorders defined as small and oscillating shear stress through the process of mechanotransduction, increases expression of genes, which are responsible for accumulating deposits in vessel walls. Consequently potentiates free radical reactions. There is still lack of clarity about mechanisms of progression from asymptomatic lesions to unstable plaques with high risk of rapture. Considering so many mechanisms participating in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis we already have a lot of pharmacological strategies for preventing and treating its complications. This article discusses the main groups of drugs with documented effectiveness in the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque. There are new opportunities offered by nanodrugs due to an effectiveness increase of the treatment while minimizing its complications by acting directly at the target site.
Abstract
The main cause of mortality in Poland are diseases of the cardiovascular system. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is the beginning of atherosclerosis development. Atherosclerosis, as an inflammatory process involving the vessel wall, evolves through multiple signaling pathways. While the dyslipidemia accelerate its development. Also, blood flow disorders defined as small and oscillating shear stress through the process of mechanotransduction, increases expression of genes, which are responsible for accumulating deposits in vessel walls. Consequently potentiates free radical reactions. There is still lack of clarity about mechanisms of progression from asymptomatic lesions to unstable plaques with high risk of rapture. Considering so many mechanisms participating in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis we already have a lot of pharmacological strategies for preventing and treating its complications. This article discusses the main groups of drugs with documented effectiveness in the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque. There are new opportunities offered by nanodrugs due to an effectiveness increase of the treatment while minimizing its complications by acting directly at the target site.
Keywords
unstable atherosclerotic plaque, atherosclerosis, therapeutic strategies, drugs
About this articleTitle
The concept of unstable atherosclerotic plaque and pharmacological therapeutic strategies
Journal
Chirurgia Polska (Polish Surgery)
Issue
Pages
49-68
Published online
2016-06-30
Page views
904
Article views/downloads
9460
Bibliographic record
Chirurgia Polska 2015;17(1-2):49-68.
Keywords
unstable atherosclerotic plaque
atherosclerosis
therapeutic strategies
drugs
Authors
Karolina Jarząbek
Agata Sobczyk
Wojciech Sobczyk
Krzysztof Łabuzek
Dariusz Belowski
Bożena Gabryel
