Atherosclerosis

Question 1

what is atherosclerosis?

Answer 1

Chronic and progressive inflammatory disease to large/medium sized blood vessels

Accumulation of fatty/fibrosis tissue in the inner most layer of arteries = intima
- Thickening of artery wall due to accumulation of fatty material
Leading to production of atheromatous plaque

Question 2

foam cells

Answer 2

foamy in appearance (contain droplets of fat)

Question 3

what is inflammatory signalling important for?

Answer 3

atherogenesis (process of atherosclerotic plaque formation, leading to coronary artery heart disease)

Question 4

what happens to the plaque over time?

Answer 4

develop fibrotic cap and accumulates calcified material

Advanced plaques could disrupt blood flow by reducing the size of blood vessel lumen and result in tissue ischema (lack of oxygen)

Lesion could be disrupted and lead to thrombosis -> resulting in ischemia

Question 5

Atherosclerosis related disease

Answer 5

Coronary heart disease

Carotid artery disease

Peripheral artery disease

Chronic kidney disease

Question 6

Risk factors

Answer 6

Diabetes

Smoking

Gender

Dyslipoproteinemia

Age

Genetic conditions

Question 7

modifiable vs unmodifiable risk factors

Answer 7

smoking = modifiable

age = unmodifiable

Question 8

how are lipids transported?

Answer 8

in complex with proteins

Question 9

LDLs

Answer 9

[low density lipoprotein]

apolipoprotein B100

considered a risk factor for atherosclerosis

Question 10

HDLs

Answer 10

[high density lipoprotein]

high protein content - apolipoprotein A-1

considered a protective for atherosclerosis

evidence as an anti-inflammatory