Molecular Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the most common cardiovascular disorder in western societies and is rapidly becoming similarly prevalent in the underdeveloped world. Written by notable authorities and providing text rich in illustrative figures, Molecular Mechanisms in Atherosclerosis addresses the fundamental mechanisms underlying atherothrombosis and delineates current views of the molecular and cellular basis of the process. The editor approaches the issue from a mechanistic perspective, and does so in the context of contemporary knowledge of molecular and cellular pathobiology. The book provides an epidemiological overview of atherosclerotic vascular disease, followed by a review of the genetics and genetic epidemiology. It focuses on the four fundamental mechanisms common to all risk factors for atherosclerosis: inflammation, oxidative stress, thrombosis, and endothelial dysfunction and the mechanisms under lying for common risk factors for atherogenesis: dyslipidaemias, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and smoking. The book then discusses the recently proposed risk factors hyperhomocysteinemia and infection and rational molecular therapies to prevent and combat established atherothrombotic disease. Taken together, these chapters offer a broad review of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of atherothrombogenesis. The topics covered and the order of presentation were carefully chosen to clarify the complexity of the disease process. Armed with the information contained in this text, you can confidently explore cutting-edge research with insight and foresight regarding their implications for prevention and treatment.

Table of Contents:
Introduction and Overview, J. Loscalzo Epidemiology of Atherosclerotic Disease, P.W.F. Wilson Genetics of Atherothrombosis in Humans, D.F. Wyszynski and L.A. Farrer Inflammation and Atherosclerosis, F.L. Ruberg and J. Loscalzo Oxidative Stress and Atherosclerosis, R. Stocker and J.F. Keaney, Jr. Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis, J.E. Freedman and J. Loscalzo Endothelial Dysfunction in Atherosclerosis: Mechanisms of Impaired Nitric Oxide Bioactivity, N.M. Hamburg and J.A. Vita Lipoproteins and Atherogenesis, V.I. Zannis, K. Kypreos, A. Chroni, D. Kardassis, and E.E. Zanni Diabetes Mellitus as an Atherogenetic Factor, C. Panzer, Y. Ido, and N. Ruderman Hypertension and Atherogenesis, D.E. Handy and H. Gavras Smoking and the Molecular Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis, A. Kadar and A. Spira Homocysteine and Atherogenesis, D.E. Handy and J. Loscalzo Infection and Atherogenesis, C. Attardo Genco and F.C. Gibson, III Rational Contemporary Molecular and Cell-Based Therapies, J.A. Leopold and J. Loscalzo Future Directions, J. Loscalzo Index

About the Author :
Dr. Joseph Loscalzo is Wade Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine, Professor of Biochemistry, and Director of the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute at Boston University School of Medicine, as well as Physician-in-Chief at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Loscalzo received his A.B. degree, summa cum laude, his Ph.D. in biochemistry, and his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. His clinical training was completed at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he served as Resident and Chief Resident in medicine and Fellow in cardiology. After completing his training, Dr. Loscalzo joined the Harvard faculty and staff at Brigham and Women's Hospital in 1984. He ultimately rose to the rank of Associate Professor of Medicine, Chief of Cardiology at the West Roxbury Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Director of the Center for Research in Thrombolysis at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He joined the faculty of Boston University in 1994, first as Chief of Cardiology and, in 1997, Chair of Medicine. Dr. Loscalzo is recognized as an outstanding cardiovascular scientist and clinician. He has received many awards including the Clinician-Scientist Award of the American Heart Association, the Research Career Development Award of the NIH, the George W. Thorn Award for Excellence in Teaching at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Educator of the Year Award in Clinical Medicine at Boston University, the Glaxo Cardiovascular Research Award, and election to the prestigious American Society for Clinical Investigation and Association of American Physicians. He has served on several NIH study sections and editorial boards, and has chaired the Gordon Conference on Thrombolysis. He served as Associate Editor of the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine for nine years, past Chair of the Cardiovascular Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine, past Chair of the Research Committee of the American Heart Association, and Chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors of the NHLBI. Dr. Loscalzo has been a Visiting Professor at many institutions and has authored or co-authored more than 450 scientific publications and 20 books. He holds 25 U.S. patents in the fields of nitric oxide and vascular biology. He is also the recipient of many grants from the NIH and industry for his work in the areas of vascular biology, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis over the past twenty years. Currently he is principal investigator of 4 active NIH grants including a Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) Grant in Ischemic Heart Disease from the NIH, now in its second cycle, and Chairs the Executive Committee of the NHLBI-sponsored Boston University Cardiovascular Proteomics Center. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the premier cardiovascular journal, Circulation.