Oxidative stress and atherogenesis. An FT-IR spectroscopic study.

Atherosclerosis is a complex phenomenon which leads to sudden death. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to study the pathogenic components of carotids that produce the atheromatic plaque at the molecular level, as well as the role of free radicals, which are developed during oxidative stress and their effect on plaque generation. The absorption infrared spectra reflected significant changes which were analogous to clinical data of each patient. The spectra contained signature bands of the biological molecules which were characteristic for the plaque components. The bands found at about 3080 cm(-1) and 1736 cm(-1) were proportional to low-density lipoprotein concentration for each patient, suggesting the hydroperoxidation of lipids due to free radicals, generated during oxidative stress. From scanning electron microscopy analysis, it was found that the carotid plaques contained calcium minerals, silicon and heavy metals, such as copper, silver, lead and titanium, which were related to the working environment of the patients.