Cholesterol esterification by transacylation in human and experimental atheromatous lesions

Abstract

In vitro cholesterol esterification by either human or rabbit’s aorta in the presence of β-fatty acid-labelled lecithin appears to depend on a lecithin:cholesterol fatty acid (acyl) transferase. The activity of this enzyme increases in human fatty atherosclerotic lesions and in atherosclerotic aortas from cholesterol-fed rabbits. Activity decreases in fibrous and calcified human atherosclerotic lesions.