RELATIONSHIP OF CHOLESTEROL AND CALCIUM DEPOSITION IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS

动脉粥样硬化中胆固醇与钙沉积的关系

• 批准号: 3858066
• 负责人: H S KRUTH
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 至
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3858066
• 关键词: X ray crystallography; atherosclerotic plaque; calcium; cholesterol; crystallization; fluorescent dye /probe; human tissue; hydroxyapatites; scanning electron microscopy; stainings

Cholesterol and calcium, the latter in the form of hydroxyapatite, accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions. We have demonstrated that these organic and inorganic constituents of lesions can accumulate together, closely associated in composite crystals. Using the fluorescent cholesterol probe, filipin, we identified unesterified cholesterol that was associated with calcium (i.e., hydroxyapatite) granules in tissue sections of lesions and with calcium granules isolated from lesions. We also have shown with filipin staining that cholesterol can associate with pre-formed hydroxyapatite crystals, in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the physical association of many small crystallites of cholesterol with larger crystals of hydroxyapatite. Our results support the hypothesis of Craven that because of the similarities in crystal structure of hydroxyapatite and cholesterol, a microcrystal of either may serve as a nidus for the growth of the other. Our studies suggest that this or a related process occurs within atherosclerotic lesions. The extent to which this process contributes to cholesterol and calcium deposition within atherosclerotic lesions remains to be determined.

胆固醇和钙，后者以羟基磷灰石的形式存在，