[Peritoneal macrophages as a model for the study of the atherogenic potential of the blood serum].

A study was made of the capacity of peritoneal macrophages to demonstrate the atherogenic potential of blood serum. Murine and human macrophages were found to be capable of intracellular accumulation of cholesterol during cultivation with blood sera from patients with coronary atherosclerosis. The data on the capacity to demonstrate blood serum atherogenicity while using peritoneal macrophages do not differ from those obtained previously on the use of smooth muscle cells of the aortal intima and media. The cell culture of the aortal intima and peritoneal macrophages can be used for assessing the atherogenic potential of blood serum.