[Lipid peroxidation in the etiology and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis]

Reviewing the data available in the literature and their own findings, the authors consider the role of lipid peroxidation in the etiology and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The paper provides a good evidence for intensified peroxidation of hepatic lipids and liver-secreted atherogenic lipoproteins in atherogenesis, which is followed by blood lipid peroxides accumulation in hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. The excess of aortic lipid peroxides occurs concurrently with a sharp decrease in the activity of the enzymatic systems in utilizing lipid peroxides. Accumulation of lipid peroxides in the aorta may be a factor that contributes to higher migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells forming a cellular basis for an atherosclerotic plaque. The products of cholesterol oxidation were also reported to exert an atherogenic action.