[Exacerbation of atherosclerosis induced by hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic states--potential mechanisms and therapeutic implications].

Several experimental studies suggest many similarities between the effects of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia on the arterial wall. Both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia have proinflammatory effects on the artery. An increased production of oxygen-free radicals leads to increased transcription of redox-sensitive genes, which increases the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in the endothelium, resulting in increased recruitment of monocytes to the endothelium. The oxidative stress on the arterial wall may occur in both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, therefore a synergistic reaction between hypertension and hypercholesterolemia may play a role in the atherosclerotic process as common causal mechanisms. Among therapeutic strategies to protect the vascular injury in both hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic state, future research should include direct attack on these common mechanisms.