Sex Differences in the Inflammatory Response: Pharmacological Opportunities for Therapeutics for Coronary Artery Disease.

Coordinated molecular responses are key to effective initiation and resolution of both acute and chronic inflammation. Vascular inflammation plays an important role in initiating and perpetuating atherosclerotic disease, specifically at the site of plaque and subsequent fibrous cap rupture. Both men and women succumb to this disease process, and although management strategies have focused on revascularization and pharmacological therapies in the acute situation to reverse vessel closure and prevent thrombogenesis, data now suggest that regulation of host inflammation may improve both morbidity and mortality, thus supporting the notion that prevention is better than cure.