Cardiovascular and Musculoskeletal Systems

The International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) was es tablished in 1978 to stimulate and support scientific re search and educational programs related to nutrition, toxicology, and food safety, and to encourage cooper ation in these programs among scientists in universities, industry, and government agencies to assist in the resolu tion of health and safety issues. To supplement and enhance these efforts, ILSI has made a major commitment to supporting programs to har monize toxicologic testing, to advance a more uniform in terpretation of bioassay results worldwide, to promote a common understanding of lesion classifications, and to encourage wide discussion of these topics among scien tists. The Monographs on the Pathology of Laboratory Animals are designed to facilitate communication among those involved in the safety testing of foods, drugs, and chemicals. The complete set will cover all organ systems and is intended for use by pathologists, toxicologists, and others concerned with evaluating toxicity and carcinoge nicity studies. The international nature of the project - as reflected in the composition of the editorial board and the diversity of the authors and editors - strengthens our ex pectations that understanding and cooperation will be im proved worldwide through the series. Alex Malaspina President International Life Sciences Institute Preface This book, on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, is the ninth volume of a set prepared under the sponsorship of the Interna tional Life Sciences Institute (ILSI).