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Progression and regression of atheroma
1Institute of Biochemistry, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Arteries accumulate lipids with age, primarily from low-density lipoprotein. While diet and drugs can slow atherosclerosis progression, complete regression of arterial lesions remains unproven.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Lipid Metabolism
- Arterial Biology
Background:
- Normal human arteries accumulate lipids in the intima with age.
- Lipid accumulation is proportional to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) distribution, indicating LDL as the primary source.
- This accretion increases cholesterol and ester levels in the subintimal space, forming difficult-to-remove crystals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the source and consequences of lipid accumulation in human arteries.
- To evaluate the potential for therapeutic intervention in halting or reversing atherosclerotic lesion progression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of lipid distribution in human arteries.
- Review of existing studies on dietary and pharmacological interventions for lipid-lowering.
Main Results:
- Lipids are deposited in arterial intima proportionally to their presence in LDL.
- Significant increase in cholesterol and esters leads to insoluble crystal formation.
- Combined low-cholesterol diet and lipid-lowering drugs can halt lesion progression.
Conclusions:
- Atherosclerosis progression can be halted by combined dietary and drug interventions.
- Consistent regression of atherosclerotic lesions has not yet been conclusively demonstrated.