RETENTION OF FLUORESCENT-LABELED CHYLOMICRON REMNANTS WITHIN THE INTIMA OF THE ARTERIAL-WALL - EVIDENCE THAT PLAQUE CHOLESTEROL MAY BE DERIVED FROM POSTPRANDIAL LIPOPROTEINS

Plaque cholesterol is thought to be derived exclusively from low-densi ty lipoproteins that have become trapped and modified in the subendoth elial space of arterial vessels. However, in this study we provide the first visual evidence that demonstrates that (a) remnants of postpran dial lipoproteins rapidly penetrate arterial tissue; (b) efflux is not complete; and (c) focal accumulation of chylomicron remnants occurs w ithin the subendothelial space. The arterial retention of chylomicron remnants is consistent with atherogenesis being in part a postprandial phenomenon.