title: Pathological principles involved in regression of atherosclerosis.
abstract: The view is advanced that regression of atherosclerosis depends on normal pathological principles, namely the process of organization. On account of the hypoxic milieu of the arterial wall and lack of capillary ingrowths into it, the hypoxia-resistant arterial smooth muscle cell subserves the functions of both phagocyte and fibroblast in organization. The proliferation of smooth muscle in atherosclerosis is, thus, attributed to a variant of a basic pathological mechanism, and does not require more a complex explanation, such as the action of a somatotropin, mitogen or mutagen. Moderate dilatation of the arterial wall, caused by the basic pathological mechanisms of either atrophy or hypertrophy would, within definite limits, offset inward encroachment by atherosclerosis and, thus, could constitute another type of regression, or at least a failure of lumen calibre to get worse.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen