Infection and Atherosclerosis. Gram-negative Bacteria as a RiskFactor of Atherosclerosis and Myocardial Infarction

Overview

Traditional risk factors of cardiovascular disease such as smoking, high concentrations ofplasma cholesterol and triacylglycerols, hypertension and insulin resistence explain roughlyonly half the cases of myocardial infarction.Recently it was shown that one of the non-traditional risk factors of myocardial infarction isbacterial and viral infection which are intensely investigated.Higher concentrations of inflammatory markers and bacterial antibodies were repeatedlydetected in patients with myocardial infarction. Some bacterial constituents in part icular ofGram-negative bacteria (lipopolysaccharides) induce the transformation of monocytes intomacrophages, have a negative impact on the lipid metabolism, stimulate the formation of freeradicals and enhance the adhesion of cells to the vascular wall.It is obvious that in subjects with certain genetic prerequisites infection (acute or chronic) mayplay a part in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis.

Key words:
atherosclerosis - CD14 receptor - Gram-negative bacteria - myocardial infarction -