Abstract
Summary
The experiment dealt with lipid synthesis and cholesterol uptake in atherosclerotic human coronary arteries perfused in vitro with pulsatile pressure. 14C-acetate and 3H-cholesterol were added to the perfusion fluid.
The results showed that under the experimental conditions, the arterial wall failed to synthesize cholesterol from acetate. Only very limited synthesis of cholesterol esters from acetate was observed.
In contrast, there was uptake of free cholesterol by the artery from perfusion plasma.
Nicotine added to the perfusion fluid did not influence arterial cholesterol uptake, but influenced lipid synthesis from acetate by changing the distribution of 14C-acetate in phospholipids and triglycerides.
The authors are grateful to Miss Esther M. Larsen for her competent technical aid, Drs. K. D. Hellberg and G. Stefan for preparation of the perfused tissue, Dr. D. S. Shillam and associates for pathological examination and for donation of human plasma, and Drs. A. F. Brodie and A. Asano for their helpful suggestions.
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