THE ROLE OF VITAMIN-D-3 IN THE ETIOLOGY OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC-ANEURYSMS

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have traditionally been attributed t o atherosclerosis, although there is increasing epidemiological, bioch emical and genetic evidence that aneurysmal arterial disease is differ ent from occlusive atherosclerosis. One of the most consistent biochem ical findings in the aneurysmal aorta is a significant reduction in el astin protein; the cause, for this remains unclear. There is in vitro evidence that vitamin D-3 (1,25 dihydrocholecalciferol) inhibits the p roduction of elastin by smooth muscle cells. On the basis of this obse rvation and the possibility that some subjects may be exposed to exces s vitamin D-3, the hypothesis that vitamin D-3 may be a previously un recognized aetiological factor in the pathogenesis of AAA is developed .