Background -- The Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis -- Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease -- Metabolic Syndrome: Therapeutic Considerations -- The Impact of Diet -- Physical Activity, Obesity and Cardiovascular Diseases -- Fatty Acids and Atherosclerotic Risk -- Dietary Cholesterol, Atherosclerosis and Coronary Heart Disease -- Plant Sterols and Stanols -- Carbohydrates and Dietary Fiber -- Dietary Antioxidants and Paraoxonases Against LDL Oxidation and Atherosclerosis Development -- Soy, Isoflavones and Atherosclerosis -- Homocysteine and B Vitamins -- Alcohol -- Evidence-Based Anti-Atherosclerotic Drug Therapy -- Lipid and Non-lipid Effects of Statins -- Fibrates -- ACE Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists -- Inhibition of Platelet Activation and Aggregation -- Targets of Future Anti-Atherosclerotic Drug Therapy -- The ABC of Hepatic and Intestinal Cholesterol Transport -- Inhibition of the Synthesis of Apolipoprotein B-Containing Lipoproteins -- Therapy of Hyper-Lp(a) -- Modulation of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Metabolism and Reverse Cholesterol Transport -- Inhibition of Lipoprotein Lipid Oxidation -- Correction of Insulin Resistance and the Metabolic Syndrome -- Protection of Endothelial Function -- Modulation of Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration: Role of Smooth Muscle Cell Heterogeneity -- Modulation of Macrophage Function and Metabolism -- Inflammation Is a Crucial Feature of Atherosclerosis and a Potential Target to Reduce Cardiovascular Events -- Autoimmune Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis -- Drug Therapies to Prevent Coronary Plaque Rupture and Erosion: Present and Future -- Reciprocal Role of Vasculogenic Factors and Progenitor Cells in Atherogenesis -- Gene Therapy of Atherosclerosis.

This book gives an overview on important mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis and thereby presents targets some of which are used and others which may be useful for therapy and prevention of atherosclerosis. Since atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease the scientifc approach must be multidisciplinary. Accordingly, the authors of this book represent different areas of methodology ranging from basic, clinical and population research as well as different fields of expertise ranging from metabolism to immunology and inflammation biology and to vascular biology.