Summary
Cardiovascular disease, in particular coronary heart disease (CHD) and associated
myocardial infarction (MI), is the leading cause of death among adults in the Western
world (1). Although CHD is a complex multi-factorial disease, major insights have
been gained in our understanding of the etiology underlying the initiation and progression
of CHD. The pathogenesis of CHD and the ensuing atherothrombotic complications resulting
in MI, involves the complex and often synergistic interplay between multiple dysfunctional
cellular and molecular mechanisms that have been altered through interactions with
various environmental and/or systemic factors (i. e. CHD risk factors). Typically,
these deleterious effects are exerted at the level of the heart muscle, blood vessels
and blood components and result in dysfunction in endothelial cells (ECs), smooth
muscle cells, cardiac myocytes, blood cells (platelets and monocytes) and plasma components
(lipoproteins, fibrinogen, clotting factors, etc.). These combined effects will then
contribute further to the initiation and progression of CHD and eventual MI. Consequently,
any systemic factors (such as alcohol or wine components) that will reduce, minimize
or inhibit these induced dysfunctions will be expected to reduce the overall risk
for cardiovascular disease and CHD-related mortality.
Keywords
Alcohol - polyphenols - endothelial cells - platelets - CHD
