[Pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. II. Etiopathogenic mechanisms and risk factors]

The authors present an up-to-date review on etiopathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Theories of etiology of atherosclerosis are described: response-to-injury hypothesis, lipid deposition hypothesis, lysosome hypothesis, encrustation hypothesis, mural thrombi hypothesis, monoclonal and clonal senescence hypothesis. The role of endothelial injury and platelet adhesion as well as smooth muscle cells proliferation due to these events, their growth control and the role of macrophages in atherogenesis are explained thoroughly. Special attention is focused on the interaction of arterial cells and lipoproteins at sites of vessel injury, lipid metabolism of the lesion and on synergy of arterial injury caused by various injury mechanisms and hypercholesterolemia in atherogenesis. Atherosclerotic risk factors and their impact on atherogenesis are discussed as well (e.g. hyperlipoproteinemia, hypertension, tobacco smoking, diabetes and abnormal glucose tolerance, gout, obesity, menopause and oral contraceptives, diminished physical activity, type A of personality behavior etc.). The possibilities of regression or reversal of ateromatous plaques are presented too.