ABSTRACT
Atherosclerotic vascular disease, with its major manifestations of heart attack and stroke, is still by far the leading cause of death in Western communities. Together with the corresponding very high morbidity from both coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease, this has been a major impetus to better definition of those processes integral to the initial development of an atherosclerotic plaque, together with identification of the genetic and environmental risk factors which may modify its subsequent course and consequences. In this regard, the relatively recent appreciation of lipid peroxidation as an essential element in the pathogenesis of atheroma1 has meant that there has been a major focus on nutritional and lifestyle factors which may influence redox state, now understood as a critical element in the initial development of fatty streaks in a blood vessel wall. Understanding the potential, therefore, for antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects from regular ingestion of alcoholic beverages to modify the course of atherosclerotic vascular disease has major public health implications.
