Atherosclerosis mucopolysaccharides

The anticoagulant activity of the aortic mucopolysaccharides and the associated ability to stimulate the production of lipid-clearing activity are considered (G7) to be of significance in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Immunoelectrophoresis has been employed to demonstrate (G4) that one part of the lipids in sclerotic aortic intima is identical with plasma P-lipoprotein. The deposition of plasma P-Iipopro-teins may be associated with the ability of some specific mucopolysaccharide of sclerotic aortic intima to bind p-lipoprotein. 

DI, Dalferes, E. R., Jr., Ruiz, H., Kumar, V., Radhakrishnamurthy, B., and Beren-son, G. S., Acid mucopolysaccharides of fatty streaks in young, human male aortas. Atherosclerosis 13, 121-131 (1971). 

The term atherosclerosis refers to the focal thickening of the intima of arteries. " The thickened intima consists of muscle cells, connective tissue such as collagen and elastin, mucopolysaccharides, and both intracellular and extracellular lipids. As it progresses to the more advanced condition, degenerating cells and cholesterol crystals are found in the lesions. Plasma proteins, lipoproteins, and the formed elements of blood (platelets, leukocytes, and erythrocytes) are also involved in the development of lesions. Progressive atherosclerosis leads to poor blood flow through blood vessels due to occlusive complications, which also promote the accumulation of formed elements. 

In considering the role of fats, it is useful to consider the disease as consisting of two distinct phases (Figure 5.25). The first phase is atherosclerosis, an irregular thickening of the inner wall of the artery that reduces the size of the arterial lumen. The thickening is caused by the accumulation of plaque, consisting of smooth muscle cells, connective tissue, mucopolysaccharides, fat-filled foam cells, in which the predominant lipid is cholesteryl ester, and deposits of calcium. The artery wall is locally... 

---