title: Correlations of aortic histology with gross aortic atherosclerosis and metabolic measurements in diabetic and nondiabetic Macaca nigra.
abstract: We studied the aortic histology of 28 Macaca nigra males and females, from 6 to more than 20 years old, normal and manifesting various degrees of spontaneous diabetes. Correlations of several metabolic and hormonal indicators of diabetes severity with gross and microscopic findings in the aortas demonstrated direct associations with the severity of atherosclerosis. Mild to relatively severe aortic lesions were present. These monkeys showed many changes similar to those observed in medium and large arteries of diabetic humans. Intimal proliferation, prominent extracellular fibers as part of the intimal thickening, and lipid deposition--mostly in extracellular locations--were particularly evident. Significant relationships were observed when glucose clearance, insulin secretion, and fasting glucose levels were correlated with all aortic microscopic findings. Cholesterol concentrations had no correlation with the histological state of the aortas, and triglyceride levels correlated only with aortic lipid content and intimal thickness. Aortic pathologic changes increased with age; diabetics had significantly greater changes than nondiabetics. Macaca nigra can be useful in the study of how diabetes affects the development of atherosclerosis without the influence of an atherogenic diet.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008251:Macaca; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol