Nuclear microprobe applied to the study of coronary artery walls--a distinct look at atherogenesis

The Nuclear Microprobe technique was employed to investigate the elemental concentration alterations due to atherosclerosis, of minor and trace elements at the different cellular layers and structures of freeze-dried cryosections of human coronary arteries. Nuclear Microprobe analyses enable to determine 7 elements, i.e., P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe and Zn in the artery walls. Early modifications of the vessels, due to the atherosclerosis progression, that cannot be detected with specific staining or conventional histological methods could be detected. These modifications comprise the disruption of elastic laminae and are apparently related to abnormal Fe and Zn depositions in the intimal region and surroundings of the elastic laminae. Later on, the calcification of these regions occur, contributing to an irreversible damage of the elastic laminae and leading to the atheroma growing and maturation. Moreover, the Fe and Zn content alterations and distribution in the vessel wall can characterize stages of the disease.