Major advances have been made in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis, the disease that still affects more than 50 percent of the population in the highly industrialized countries. This volume covers the most recent advances in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. It represents a necessary update because molecular mechanisms of atherogenesis have been discovered in the past few years and their molecular mechanisms of action identified. Extensively treated are the molecular mechanisms of disease etiology of arteriosclerosis in relation to the major risk factor "hyperlipidemia", rationale for more effective treatment of this disease by dietary means, the treatment of associated or causing diseases, and the treatment using hypolipidemic drugs.

Section A: Physiology and Pathophysiology of Lipid Metabolism

1 An Introduction to the Biochemistry and Biology of Blood Lipids and Lipoproteins
2 Lipoprotein Metabolism
3 Lipoprotein Receptors
4 Genetic Disorders of Lipoprotein Metabolism
5 Interactions Between Lipoproteins and the Arterial Wall
6 Lipoprotein Lipase and Hepatic Lipase
7 Animal Models of Lipoprotein Metabolism
Section B: Lipid Lowering Therapy
8 Rationale to Treat
9 The Dietary Therapy of Hyperlipidemia: Its Important Role in the Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease
10 Lipid Apheresis
Section C: Lipid Lowering Drugs
11 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitors
12 Fibrates
13 Nicotinic Acid and Derivatives
14 Ion Exchange Resins
15 Probucol
16 Miscellaneous Lipid-Lowering Drugs.