A unifying theory of atherogenesis.
The author proposes that all major risk factors, including elevated serum low-density lipoprotein, cause atherosclerosis by increasing viscosity, creating larger areas of decreased blood flow, thereby perpetuating the interaction of atherogenic elements with the endothelium. Low-density lipoprotein causes increased viscosity by fostering erythrocyte aggregation. High-density lipoprotein protects against atherosclerosis by antagonizing erythrocyte aggregation, thereby decreasing viscosity. Implications of this theory are discussed.
Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine at New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D012307:Risk Factors
D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL