International Commission for Protection Against Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens. ICPEMC Working Paper 7/1/3. Animal studies suggesting involvement of mutagen/carcinogen exposure in atherosclerosis.

It is very important to elucidate the causative agents of atherosclerosis because coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease are the main causes of death in the developed countries. The evidence for a monoclonal origin of atherosclerotic plaques in humans prompted the study of the involvement of mutagens/carcinogens in the development of atherosclerosis. Polycyclic hydrocarbons, including 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene, were shown to act as initiators and/or accelerators in atherosclerotic plaque formation in the chicken, pigeon and mouse. Radiation and oxygen radicals were also demonstrated to be involved in the development of atherosclerosis in animals.