Metal ion release from mechanically-disrupted human arterial wall. Implications for the development of atherosclerosis.

Oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) in blood vessel walls plays a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis. LDL oxidation in vitro is greatly accelerated by the presence of "catalytic" iron or copper ions, which have already been shown to be present within advanced atherosclerotic lesions. We demonstrate here that mechanical damage to human arterial wall samples (both normal and early or intermediate atherosclerotic lesions) causes release of "catalytic" iron and copper ions, to an extent increasing with the damage. It may be that traumatic (e.g. during angioplasty) or other injury to the vessel wall contributes to the generation of metal ions that can facilitate LDL oxidation and other free radical reactions, so promoting atherosclerosis.