Mechanistic Pathways of Atherosclerosis - Vasa Vasorum, Endothelial Progenitor Cells (Epcs) - and the Effects of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMG-Co A) Reductase Inhibitors

HMG-Coa reductase inhibitors (statins) have gained a tremendous effect on huge populations. Changing life expectancy and changing natural history of natural humans, considered at risk to develop cardiovascular disease, and patients with known cardiovascular disease. Over the years it has become clear that the major clinical effect induced by statins is not solely due to a lipid profile positive change, but also due to other effects known as the "paleographic effects" of statins (all the beneficial effects of statins besides the lipid lowering effect). A better understanding of statins of mechanistic pathways strengthened even more the paleographic significance of the beneficial effects of statins, and some even suggest that the lipid lowering effect could be actually a marker of the other, more significant effects-like the effects of statins on vascular inflammation and plaque stabilization, immune modulation, on circulating endothelial progenitor cells and endothelial cells, up-regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) modulation of thrombosis and coagulation. All the activities and effects of statins have been discovered in the last decade and are dependent on regulation of nuclear factor K B (NF-k-B), cell adhesion molecules' activation, PI3k-Akt pathway, Rhs/Rho-kinase and activation of Akt.