Potential peptides in atherosclerosis therapy

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is the main underlying cause of ischemic heart disease and related acute cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infarction and stroke. In view of the failure of statins to demonstrate a beneficial effect in all patients, exhaustive research efforts have unfold into different research avenues, in close relation to the increase in basic knowledge regarding lipoprotein metabolism, macrophage function and inflammatory conditions associated with atherosclerosis. This review focuses specifically on potential therapeutic peptides targeting dyslipidemia, macrophage scavenger receptors, cholesterol metabolism and anti-inflammatory cytokines as novel therapeutic avenues in atherosclerosis.