Cholesterol esterification of mechanically-induced aortic lesions in normolipemic pigs

Intimal thickenings were produced in the abdominal aortae of normolipemic pigs by longitudinal mechanical injury. In two-week lesions there was increased I-14C-oleic acid incorporation into esterified cholesterol (CE), accompanied by lipid droplet formation. In twelve-week lesions, lipid droplets had largely disappeared, and the incorporation of 1-14C-oleic acid into CE was similar to that of normal aorta. Increased esterification of cholesterol with oleic acid may be a protective mechanism during the early phases of the arterial repair reaction. Regression of the lesions may be associated with the return of cholesterol esterification activity to normal.