[New discoveries explain how smoking accelerates atherosclerosis].

Although it is well known that cigarette smoking is a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis, facts have been scarce concerning mechanisms for the effects of smoke on the blood vessel wall. New findings show that endothelial cells are activated by substances found in smoke, so that leukocytes adhere to and interact with them. Among such substances platelet activating factor and nitric oxide have attracted recent attention. This paper reviews hypotheses concerning these reactions.