The antiatheromatous action of silicon.

Silicon is a constituent of connective and elastic tissues. Administered intravenously or per os in rabbits, it inhibits experimental atheromas normally induced by an atheromatous diet, making atheromatous plaques much rarer and lipid deposits more superficial. Though the mechanism of silicon's antiatheromatous action remains shadowy, the impermeability's rise of the arterial wall is probably not the only influencing factor, because the arterial walls of animals under silicon do show a higher lipid concentration with respect to control animals. The preservation of the structure of elastic fibers, as well as of ground substance, and the absence of an increase in oleic acid in the aortic wall may also explain the rareness of atheromatous plaques.