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.
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Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine at New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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