Some cytological answers to atherosclerosis

ABSTRACT

A concise review of the atherosclerotic process is presented and a new concept is proposed as to the fundamental nature of atheromas and the process of atheromatosis. Evidence and arguments are provided to consider the atheroma as a newly developing and evolving vasculo-endocrine unit of the vessel wall, secreting steroidal chemicals and hormones into the blood stream. These hormones are of probable importance as trophic factors for the vascular tunica interna and are also of circulatory value for enhancing trans-capillary transport of nutrients and metabolites and catalysing the tissue reactions of metabolism in the tissue spaces [thus being tissue circulation promoters and enhancers]. They may be of use in preventing or treating various tissue metabolic storage disorders as well as in creating better general and special tissues for the body