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COMPARATIVE HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY 

 OF HUMAN AND EXPERIMENTAL ATHEROGENESIS 



I. E. GONZALEZ 



University of Alabama Médical Center, Binnin^am, Alabama 



Gonzalez and co-workers {Am. I. of Physiology 197, 413, 1959) hâve 

 shown that the earliest intimai lésion noted in canine atherogenesis is 

 characterized by an accumulation of PAS-positive substance. Altéra- 

 tions in the intercellular substance preceded lipid accumulation. 



Current studies relating to human atherogenesis indicate that acid 

 phosphatases and non-specific esterase activity is intimately associated 

 with intimai prolifération and the first discernable lésion. Lipid-laden 

 cells within the intima and closely associated with the developing lésion 

 exhibit even greater acid phosphates and non-specific esterase activity. 



On the basis of the plasmal, PAS, PFAS and peroxide (Dam) reactions 

 it appears that certain intermediate stages in the oxidation of lipids, 

 Schiff-positive groups are revealed which are intimately associated with 

 "fatty streaks" and to a lesser degree with "fibrous plaques" seen in 

 the arterial bed. Atheroma may in part represent products of oxidizing 

 lipids which may not stain with conventional fat soluble dyes. 



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