Prostacyclin formation by human aorta in different types of atherosclerotic lesion.

Human aortic samples were taken from uninvolved areas, fatty streaks and atherosclerotic plaques within 3 hrs after sudden death. Prostacyclin formed after 3-min incubation was estimated by ADP-induced platelet aggregation inhibitory method and by radioimmunoassay as 6-keto prostaglandin FI alpha. Atherosclerotic plaques exhibited a strong decrease in their capacity to synthesize prostacyclin. In comparison with normal there was not significant difference in the prostacyclin releasing value from the fatty streaks while individual samples had considerable variety.