Heparitin sulfates (heparan sulfates) of atherosclerosis-susceptible and atherosclerosis-resistant pigeon aortas.

Electrophoretic mobilities of heparitin sulfates (HS) from the thoracic aorta and the celiac bifurcation of atherosclerosis-susceptible White Carneau and atherosclerosis-resistant Show Racer pigeons at four ages were examined. Atherosclerosis-susceptible White Carneau aortas contain, in addition to their normal HS component, a variant type of HS (HS') in pre, early- and moderately-atherosclerotic celiac foci which is not found in the thoracic regions of either breed or in Show Racer celiac foci at any age. These findings are interpreted to suggest a role of HS' in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and to propose an explanation for atherosclerotic susceptibility and resistance in pigeons.