Michael Aviram

Senior Vice Dean, Technion Rappaport Faculty of Medicine

Director, The Clinical Research Institute at Rambam 

PhD: 1978-Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel

MSc:1975-Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel,

BSc:1970-Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

Research Interests

1. Lipoproteins Oxidation and Atherosclerosis

Macrophage – mediated oxidation of LDL and foam cell formation are the hallmark of early atherogenesis. 

We were the first to demonstrate the role of cellular oxygenases (such as NADPH oxidase) and of endogenous antioxidants (such as the glutathione system) in cell - mediated LDL oxidation and in atherosclerotic lesion development.

2. Dietary Antioxidants and Atherosclerosis

We have provided evidence, for the first time, that the inhibitory effect of some dietary exogenous flavonoid antioxidants (pomegranate, red wine, olive oil, licorice root, dates) on macrophage – mediated LDL oxidation (and on atherosclerosis development) is related to the polyphenols interaction with the lipoprotein directly, as well as to their accumulation in arterial macrophages.

3. Paraoxonases (PON) and Atherosclerosis

We provided evidence that HDL- associated Paraoxonase1 and macrophage paraoxonase 2 can hydrolyze oxidized lipids in oxidized lipoproteins, macrophages, and in atherosclerotic lesions. Paraoxonases act as a second line of defense against oxidative stress and atherosclerosis development.