[Lipid peroxides and atherosclerosis. Hypothesis: the role of cholesterol and free-radical lipid peroxidation in altering cell membrane properties in hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis].

When experimental animals are kept on an atherogenic diet the NADP.H-dependent phospholipid deoxygenase in the membranes of the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum is activated and the degree of membrane oxidation is increased. "Peroxide" modification of microsomal membranes is attended by changes in their conformation and as a consequence, changes in the activity of membrane-bound enzymes. Proceeding from the fact that the synthesis of the components and the assembly of the supramolecular lipoprotein structure as well as cholesterol catabolism are accomplished by the enzyme systems localized in the hepatic microsomes, the role of peroxidation of the microsomal lipids in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is discussed.