| abstract |
The current invention involves a new treatment for human atherosclerosis. It concerns primary as well as secondary prevention of atherosclerosis by a pharmaceutical composition of vitamin E and acetylsalicylate. The development of atherosclerosis is suppressed at three different levels using this particular composition : 1) reduction of oxidation of LDL, in vivo, by vitamin E, 2) stabilization of endothelial cellmembranes by vitamin E making these cells less vulnerable to oxidation and 3) the anti-platelet action of acetylsalicylate which prevents platelet aggregation, thrombus formation and cytokines release which decreases inflammatory reactions and smooth-muscle-cell proliferation. An accidental advantage of the composition is the relatively small amount of acetylsalicylate that is needed when combined with vitamin E. This is quite important in view of the dose-dependent side-effects of acetylsalicylate. For these reasons, the composition can be expected to be effective and safe. It can be used widely against atherosclerosis and should be considered an additional weapon against atherosclerosis along with the reduction of known riskfactors such as hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus. The composition is designed to treat and/or prevent diseases arising from atherosclerosis such as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attacks, stroke and claudicatio intermittens. |