摘要
From 1986 to 1989, 324 aortae from accidental death aged 15-39 were collected from two locations, one of higher prevalence (Beijing in North China), and the other of lower prevalence (Nanning in South China) of atherosclerosis (AS) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Morphometry and biochemical analyses, were used in the study with emphasis on the changes of smooth muscle cells (SMC) in the aortic intima and on the aortic proteoglycans (PGs) of specimens from both locations to elucidate their relationship with the pathogenesis and development of AS and to find ways, if any, for the prevention and control of AS. The results showed that the densities,especially the area density of the cell nuclei of aortic SMC were significantly higher in specimens from the North than those from the South (P<0.01). Nuclear densities of SMC negatively correlated with alcian blue-positive substances; both total PGs and Heparin sulfate PG (HSPG, inhibitory to SMC proliferation) of the aortic intima and media were lower in speci