Some aspects of aortic medial explant morphology and lipid metabolism.

This study has examined some aspects of lipogenesis in both primary aortic medial explant cultures and intact aortic intima-media preparations. It has been shown that both lipogenesis and cellular ultrastructure vary with the age of the culture. Additionally, data has been presented indicating marked qualitative and quantitative differences in lipogenesis between explant cultures and intima-media incubations. Finally, it has been shown that the addition of either normo- or hyperlipemic human serum to explant cultures can significantly modify acetate incorporation into both triglycerides and cholesteryl esters and induce significant changes in ultrastructural morphology. it is concluded that one should interpret cell culture data with caution, particularly with respect to culture age, serum composition, and ultrastructural cellular viability.