A search for mutagens in human aortal lipid extracts

In view of hypotheses suggesting mutagenesis is implicated in atherosclerosis, a total of 18 lipid extracts of human aortal tissues was examined by the standard Ames mutagenicity bioassay using Salmonella typhimurium or by a liquid modification thereof. One lipid extract of intimal-medial tissue contained detectable mutagenic activity against test strain TA98 in the liquid medium bioassay and against TA1538 in the standard plate assay following metabolic activation. Six other samples appeared to have weak activity against strains TA98, TA1538, or TA100. The other aortal samples were nonmutagenic.