Arterial fibrous proteins in cynomolgus monkeys after atherogenic and regression diets

Fibrous proteins were measured in five arterial beds in adult cynomolgus monkeys after administration of atherogenic and regression regimens. Atherosclerosis was induced by feeding the monkeys a hypercholesterolemic diet containing 1.2% cholesterol for 17 months. A low-fat, cholesterol-free regression diet was then given for 60 days, 200 days, and 20 months. In atherosclerosis, collagen concentration (mg/g dry weight) and collagen content (mg/cm length of artery) both increased. At 200 days of regression the collagen concentration, but not the collagen content, was higher than it was in atherosclerosis. In late regression (20 months), the collagen content was lower than it was in atherosclerosis, although in the five arterial beds considered together the collagen concentration was not significantly lower. Both the elastin concentration and the elastin content rose in atherosclerosis and decreased in regression. These mass data suggest that fibrous proteins are lost from the arterial wall during a regression regimen. Correlative evidence suggests that younger intimal fibers may be chiefly susceptible to fibrolytic activity, leaving dense intimal scars characteristic of regressed arteries.