Vascular system atherosclerosis

Platelets play a role in each of the mechanisms of normal hemostasis vasoconstriction, formation of the platelet plug, and blood coagulation. However, they are also involved in pathological processes that lead to atherosclerosis and thrombosis (formation of a blood clot within the vascular system). Antiplatelet drugs interfere with platelet function and are used to prevent the development of atherosclerosis and formation of arterial thrombi. 

It has been suggested that XO from homogenized milk enters the vascular system and may be involved in atherosclerosis via oxidation of plasmalo-gens (Appendix 3B) in cell membranes. However, the experimental evidence in support of this view is very weak and the hypothesis has been disclaimed (see Farkye, 1992). 

Even though some of the diseases affect primarily the heart and others the vascular system, they cannot be divorced from each other. This obvious interdependence makes a unified view imperative. One of the major diseases, atherosclerosis (typically accompanied by high blood pressure), affects and ultimately damages the heart, kidneys, and other organs. 

The development of type 2 diabetes coincides with progressive obesity but occurs in individuals who are genetically susceptible. The risks of diabetes include microvascular disease, resulting in diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy, along with a number of different forms of neuropathy, and accelerated systemic atherosclerosis, resulting in coronary artery, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular disease. The atherosclerosis of diabetes is complex, but is not entirely dependent on hyperglycemia since patients with insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and the metabolic syndrome are also at increased risk for atherosclerosis. There is a strong statistical association between obesity and metabolic syndrome, and most patients will demonstrate some feamres of metabolic syndrome with more severe obesity. A minority... 

A high level of cholesterol in blood (also called hypercholesterolaemia) [46] often cause the hardening and narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis) in the major vascular systems. The cholesterol moderating statin drags inhibit the second step in the biosynthetic pathway of producing cholesterol by binding to the active site of... 

A wide range of Damkholer numbers characterize the transport of biomolecular solutes in vessel walls of the cardiovascular system, and in this section we focus on four important species as examples of typical biotransport processes adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a species that reacts vigorously on the endothelial surface, albumin, and LDL, species which are transported across a permeable endothelial surface and oxygen, which is rapidly consumed within the vessel wall. Since most vascular disease (atherosclerosis) occurs in vessels between 3 and 10 mm in diameter, we use a vessel of 5 mm diameter to provide estimates of typical Damkholer numbers. 

While the occurrence of atheromatous plaques within expanded PTFE grafts may be rare, their presence indicates that the disease for which the patient received the vascular graft, atherosclerosis, may involve the graft material. Thus, the expected life of the graft may be decreased and the graft truly represents a temporary measure in controlling the progression of atherosclerosis and its systemic effects. 

---