The Role of Lipids and Lipoproteins in Atherosclerosis

A THEROSCLEROSIS is generally considered to be the major disease of this era. Its consequences in the coronary, cerebral, and peripheral arteries, in the form o£ ocelu- sive phenomena, are responsible for more death and disability than any other disease. In spite of much study and research there is still no agreement con- cerning the sequence of pathogenetic events, etiol- ogy, or treatment of atheroselerosis. The not-too- rare oceurrence of coronary artery ocelusions (almost always a consequence of atheroselerosis) in young men from 20 to 40 years of age testifies to the fallacy of the idea, still prevalent, that atheroselerosis is a problem of the aged or senile. For the male it is a 1 This work was supported (in part) by the Atomic Energy Commission and the United States Public Health Service. The authors wish to acknowledge with gratitude the gener- ous and invaluable advice and assistance given by Profs. Hardin B. Jones and John H. Lawrence. A THEROSCLEROSIS is generally considered to be the major disease of this era. Its consequences in the coronary, cerebral, and peripheral arteries, in the form o£ ocelu- sive phenomena, are responsible for more death and disability than any other disease. In spite of much study and research there is still no agreement con- cerning the sequence of pathogenetic events, etiol- ogy, or treatment of atheroselerosis. The not-too- rare oceurrence of coronary artery ocelusions (almost always a consequence of atheroselerosis) in young men from 20 to 40 years of age testifies to the fallacy of the idea, still prevalent, that atheroselerosis is a problem of the aged or senile. For the male it is a