Enzymatic detoxication of superoxide anion-radicals and lipoperoxides in intima and media of atherosclerotic aorta.

Unusually high activities of the "antioxidative" enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) have been found in the cells isolated from the intima and media of normal human aorta. The activities of "antioxidative" enzymes of the intima and media of the human aorta in different types of atherosclerotic lesions (lipid spots, fibrous plaques) have been demonstrated to be greatly lowered.