Etiology of atherosclerosis--special reference to humoral and neurogenic factors

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, currently the leading cause of death and illness in developed countries, will soon become the health problem worldwide. Atherosclerosis, a progressive disease characterized by the accumulation of lipids and fibrous elements in the arteries, constitutes the most important contributor to this growing burden of cardiovascular disease. The vascular endothelium is the inner lining of all blood vessels and serves as an important autocrine and paracrine organ, that regulates vascular wall functions. The vascular components are susceptible to the effect of oxidative stress, inflammation, (adipo)cytokines, neurohumoral factors, sleep disorders, psychogenic stress and other mediators. These vascular systems should maintain vascular homeostasis in the whole body for preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.