Investigation on arteriosclerosis among population in a rare earth area in south China.
An ophthalmofunduscope was used to investigate arteriosclerosis among villagers aged 20-40 yr old in two rare earth areas in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province. It was noted that the occurrence of arteriosclerosis of the fundus aculi was significantly high (P < 0.05-0.01), the detection of serum cholesterol (CHO) was remarkably increased (P < 0.01), and the level of IgM was also elevated. However, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) remained at a low level. The effect of taking rare earth elements (REE) could be direct or indirect, thus causing an increase in cholesterol and interfering with the synthesis of high-density lipoprotein. Furthermore, rare earth could also cause immunogenic damage to the vascular wall. All of these could facilitate the formation of arteriosclerosis.
Zhu
W
W
Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Giyang, Guizhou, P.R.C.
Xu
S
S
Wu
D
D
Shao
P
P
Yang
W
W
Zhang
H
H
Feng
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography
D008674:Metals, Rare Earth; D002784:Cholesterol