HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA AND ANGIOGENESIS

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with endothelial cell dysfunction, which may be partly related to an accumulation of toxic lipoprotein de gradation products in artery walls. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein a nd its products have been incriminated in the impairment of transmembr ane signaling, a process that may alter the responsiveness of endothel ial cells to mitogens. Endothelial cell replication is necessary for t he growth of preexisting arterial channels and for the formation of ne w microvessels (angiogenesis). Experiments in intact rabbits indicate that endothelial replication necessary for vascular growth is markedly impaired in the presence of hypercholesterolemia, a defect that may p lay an important role in the pathophysiology of occlusive atherosclero tic disease.