[Fatty acids and lipid peroxidation in experimental atheroma in the rabbit. Role played by silicon]

Free fatty acids (FFA) and esterified fatty acids (EFA), lipid peroxidation were analysed in experimental atheroma. Among rabbits receiving cholesterol (formula; see text) compared with controls group in FFA and EFA on plasma and aortas: arachidonic acid in plasma and malonaldehyde (MDA) in plasma and aorta are increased with atheroma and there is a positive correlation between arachidonic acid, MDA, and arterial injury; organo silicic compounds when added to atherogenic diet, had a favorable action about these variations, organic silicon having an antiatheromatous action. Therefore it seems possible that unsaturated fatty acid's peroxidation had an injurious action on arteries in atheroma by discharging toxic endoperoxides; arachidonic acid is probably involved in thromboxane's generation, and consequently in aggregability of blood platelets.