Artery wall calcification: correlation of atherosclerosis with mineralization.
Popliteal arteries from 14 individuals (17-85 y old) were investigated. The concentrations and localizations of P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn and Br were measured by means of PIXE and micro-PIXE methods. The presence of PO4(3-) and CO3(2-) groups was assessed using the IR technique. The amount of P and Ca increased with age approaching at places 9% and 20% and mineral deposits were detected in tunica media. At the same time an increase in the Ca/P ratio and in the crystallinity of deposits was observed. The samples from old individuals also contained more CO3(2-) groups. The concentrations and localization of Zn and Br showed artery wall layer-dependent changes. In some places of the artery wall, minerals were also found in young persons. They were not correlated with places of blood vessel branching.
Cichocki
T
T
Heck
D
D
Jarczyk
L
L
Rokita
E
E
Strzalkowski
A
A
Sych
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000032:analysis*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared
D008903:Minerals; D002118:Calcium