Cholesterol oxygenated derivatives induce erythrocyte accumulation and endothelium alterations in the aorta of rats. Turnover of endothelial cells in the apparently intact areas remains unchanged.

In this work we have studied the effect of cholesterol autooxidation derivatives on the aortic endothelium of rat. Endothelial alterations were evident after 24 h treatment. Areas showing many spindle shaped nuclei and focal accumulation of erythrocytes were observed. Moreover, in some preparations areas with destroyed and missing endothelium were observed. Autoradiography using 3H-thymidine does not show differences in the mitotic activity between control and treated animals in those areas showing apparently intact endothelium. Therefore, we conclude that cholesterol derivatives present ability to produce important lesions in aortic endothelium and that this effect is similar to that described when cholesterol is used.