The role of individual differences in lipoprotein, artery wall, gender, and behavioral responses in the development of atherosclerosis.

Striking individual differences exist in the response of animals to atherogenic diets. In this communication, we have summarized the accumulated data that relate to a better understanding of this individuality in susceptibility to atherosclerosis. Described herein, are the accumulated data concerning individual differences in the ways in which animals respond to dietary cholesterol. Also contained in this review, are beginning efforts to understand individual differences in susceptibility to coronary artery atherosclerosis at the level of the artery wall ("mesenchymal susceptibility"). We have placed special emphasis on individual differences that exist among cynomolgus macaques in certain psychosocial variables that contribute to individual differences in susceptibility. Among male cynomolgus macaques both status and social condition contribute to these individual differences. Additionally, individual differences in cardiovascular reactivity contribute to varying degrees of atherosclerosis development largely independent of plasma lipid concentrations. Among cynomolgus macaque females, stress-ovarian function relationships have a major influence on the relative degree to which these female animals are protected against diet-induced coronary artery atherosclerosis.