The mechanism involved in the formation of arteriosclerosis is complicated and not fully understood. To define the mechanism, studies have been performed in various fields ; lipid metabolism and the coagulation system in serum, cell biological and pathological research in the arterial wall. This symposium will present two papers from basic research and four from clinical research. Basic research papers showed the relationship between cytokines and the formation of atherosclerosis and showed the possibility that markers of thrombus formation may be available in the future, thereby facilitating early treatment for thrombosis. Clinical research papers have shown that gene variant of homocystein showed a high homocystein level in serum and is strongly associated with the incidence of FCHL, ischemic heart disease and the progression of arteriosclerosis in patients on hemodialysis. Thus, reducing the homocystein level may prevent the progression of arteriosclerosis. Lastly, the intermittent gait test is necessary to evaluate the degree of arteriosclerosis in patients with ASO.

*1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gifu University School of Medicine, Gifu 500-8705
*2Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Kanazawa Hospital, Kanazawa 920-8650