[Collagen biosynthesis in the arterial wall in experimental atherosclerosis].

The authors examined collagenous neosynthesis in the aortic wall of rats with experimental atherosclerosis after application of 3H-proline, a precursor of collagen, as well as subsequent determination of the radioactivity in the aortic wall by means of scintiliation counting and localization of the incorporated radioisotope by radioautography (optical and electron microscopic). There was a great increase of the incorporation of 3H-proline in the atherosclerotic aortas in comparison with controls, a manifestation of raised neosynthesis of collagen in the cellular elements of the aortic wall in atherosclerosis. The elevated collagenogenosis was due mainly to an increased synthetic activity of the modified smooth muscle cells, forming fibrous atherosclerotic plaques. This was proven by their more intensive radioisotopic marking in comparison with medial smooth muscle cells in the optical and electrone microscopic radioautograms.