Collagen content contributes to arterial narrowing in human atherosclerotic plaques.
Collagen is a known component in human atherosclerotic plaques. However, little investigation into the use of collagen deposition as a treatment target has been performed. In this study, collagen deposition in the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery (LAD) and the posterior intraventricular branch of the right coronary artery (PIV) appears to be a uniform event. Using arterial samples from human cadavers, the mean thickness of collagen deposition in arterial samples was 671.9 microm for the LAD and 670.2 microm for the PIV. This study also shows that collagen deposition in the PIV is slightly greater in females than for males. However, data on collagen contributions in males or females in other arteries was not obtainable at this time. This data suggests that collagen deposition may function as an early target to treat the atherosclerotic state and not just later complications.
Eckstein
J
J
Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Mohamed
A
A