Knowledge of mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of occlusive arterial dis- eases is fundamental for the design of prevention and treatment. A series of studies based on in vitro investigations, the experimental animal and the human being have slowly increased our understanding of cardiovascular diseases and unveiled their secrets to us. Over the last 60 years it has been generally assumed that dietary fats and lipids and the occurrence of atherosclerosis are closely related. Yet, even if epidemiological studies clearly indicate the existence of an association between the amount of...