Cholesterol-Inflammation Fusion Hypothesis in Atherosclerosis: An Evolving Paradigm in Pathogenesis and Therapy - PubMed
6 hours ago
- #cholesterol
- #inflammation
- #atherosclerosis
- Atherosclerosis (AS) is the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide.
- The cholesterol-inflammation fusion hypothesis proposes AS as a self-perpetuating disease driven by the interplay between dysregulated cholesterol metabolism and chronic vascular inflammation.
- Cholesterol crystals, oxidized LDL, and aggregated LDL promote macrophage and vascular smooth muscle cell lipid accumulation and activate inflammatory signaling.
- Cytokines impair cholesterol efflux and amplify lipid accumulation, contributing to disease progression.
- Controlling either lipid or inflammatory pathways alone leaves residual risk, while simultaneous regulation offers the greatest benefit.
- The hypothesis provides a basis for dual-target therapeutic strategies in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- The review aims to guide future precision risk stratification and therapy design in AS.