Lipid Metabolism in Pigeon Aorta during Atherogenesis.

The development of atherosclerosis has been studied in White Carneau and Show Racer pigeons. The results of analytical studies indicate that the disease process is characterized by the accumulation of various lipids, and especially of sterol esters and free sterols. By perfusion of arteries with blood serum or with tissue culture medium containing (214labeled acetate, significant synthesis of labeled fatty acids has been shown to occur. As the aorta becomes relatively more diseased, the synthesis of fatty acids is enhanced, and the atherosclerotic plaque itself appears to be the site of most of the synthesis. Likewise, as the aorta becomes more diseased, relatively more of the newly synthesized fatty acid becomes esterified to cholesterol. The cholesterol to which the fatty acid is esterified appears to be that which is contained within the arterial wall, and the artery appears to have the necessary enzyme systems for carrying out the esterification.