silicon and Arteriosclerosis

Having briefly analyzed the role of silicon specially in the metabolism of connective and bone tissue, the author describes conditions induced by silicon deficit and poisoning due to this metal. The most recent findings concerning the role of silicon in delaying the onset and reducing the extension of atherosclerotic processes are also illustrated.

Topics: Aging; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Humans; Neoplasms; Silicon

Topics: Arteriosclerosis; Connective Tissue; Humans; Kidney; Lipid Metabolism; Nutritional Requirements; Silicon

Silicon plays a physiologically essential but mechanistically obscure role in promoting the synthesis of mucopolysaccharides and collagen. In light of reports that increased silicon ingestion impedes cholesterol-induced atherogenesis in rabbits and may be associated epidemiologically with reduced cardiovascular risk, it is reasonable to speculate that supplemental silicon may stimulate endothelial production of heparan sulfate proteoglycans that inhibit intimal hyperplasia.

Topics: Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cholesterol, Dietary; Diet, Atherogenic; Endothelium, Vascular; Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; Heparitin Sulfate; Humans; Models, Cardiovascular; Proteoglycans; Rabbits; Risk Factors; Silicon

The influence of silicon treatment on the levels of trace elements zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) in serum and tissues was studied in rats. The concentrations of silicon, iron, and zinc were estimated in samples of sera and tissues of rats receiving per os a soluble, inorganic silicon compound--sodium metasilicate nonahydrate (Na2SiO3.9H2O), dissolved in the drinking water. An increase of copper concentrations in liver and aortic walls in the experimental group was observed, with simultaneous reduction of zinc amounts in serum and all the tissue samples in the course of the experiment. The iron concentrations in the analyzed samples did not show any significant changes between both groups. The silicon levels in serum and in all the examined tissues were significantly higher in the tested group. The results provide evidence for the silicon interaction with copper and zinc, which could result in a number of metabolic process modifications, antiatheromatous activity among them.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Copper; Iron; Liver; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Silicon; Zinc

Topics: Animals; Anticoagulants; Arteriosclerosis; Blood Coagulation Tests; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Bridged-Ring Compounds; Cholesterol, Dietary; Organosilicon Compounds; Rabbits; Silicon

In the experiments on rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis the authors revealed lipolytic and antisclerotic effect of the above drug. It was also observed that it also possessed anticoagulation activity.

Topics: Animals; Anticoagulants; Arteriosclerosis; Blood Coagulation; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Bridged-Ring Compounds; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; In Vitro Techniques; Lipids; Nitriles; Onium Compounds; Organometallic Compounds; Rabbits; Silicon; Sulfonium Compounds; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Aortic Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Bridged-Ring Compounds; Citrates; Citric Acid; Drug Synergism; Hydrolysis; Lipids; Rabbits; Salicylates; Silicon; Sulfonium Compounds

The silicon (Si) content and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) of normal, fatty streaks and atheroma of human aortic intima was measured. The Si content in fatty streaks and/or atheroma was significantly higher than in normal human aortic intima (P less than 0.05). The GAG content in human aortic intima was inversely correlated with the severity of atherosclerosis as described in many reports. However, the percentage composition of dermatan sulphate (DS) in total GAG was found to increase with the advance of atherosclerosis, and was significantly higher than that in normal and fatty streaks (P less than 0.001, P less than 0.01, respectively). In human aortic intima, a significant negative correlation was seen between Si content and the content of each GAG except GlcUA-GalNAc-6-sulphate (CS-6-S), and a significant positive correlation was noted between Si content and the content of each lipid. Interestingly, the percentage composition of DS in total GAG showed a significant positive correlation with Si content in human aortic intima (r = 0.603, P less than 0.005). These results suggest the increase in Si in the aortic intima is related to the occurrences and/or progression of atherosclerosis, whether primary or secondary.

Topics: Adult; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Glycosaminoglycans; Humans; Lipids; Middle Aged; Silicon; Triglycerides

Free fatty acids (FFA) and esterified fatty acids (EFA), lipid peroxidation were analysed in experimental atheroma. Among rabbits receiving cholesterol (formula; see text) compared with controls group in FFA and EFA on plasma and aortas: arachidonic acid in plasma and malonaldehyde (MDA) in plasma and aorta are increased with atheroma and there is a positive correlation between arachidonic acid, MDA, and arterial injury; organo silicic compounds when added to atherogenic diet, had a favorable action about these variations, organic silicon having an antiatheromatous action. Therefore it seems possible that unsaturated fatty acid's peroxidation had an injurious action on arteries in atheroma by discharging toxic endoperoxides; arachidonic acid is probably involved in thromboxane's generation, and consequently in aggregability of blood platelets.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Fatty Acids; Lipid Peroxides; Malondialdehyde; Rabbits; Silicon

Topics: Animals; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Bridged-Ring Compounds; Cholesterol, Dietary; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Lipid Metabolism; Organosilicon Compounds; Rabbits; Silicon; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Capillary Permeability; Fatty Acids; Lipid Peroxides; Rabbits; 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.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Diet, Atherogenic; Humans; Male; Rabbits; Silicon

Topics: Arteriosclerosis; Arthritis; Cellulose; Dietary Fiber; Humans; Silicon; Water Supply

A logical argument can be made for the hypothesis that lack of silicon may be an important aetiological factor in atherosclerosis. As silicic acid or its derivatives, silicon is essential for growth. It is found mainly in connective tissue, where it functions as a cross-linking agent. Unusually high amounts of bound silicon are present in the arterial wall, especially in the intima. Various kinds of dietary fibre have been reported to be effective in preventing experimental models of atherosclerosis, reducing cholesterol and blood-lipid levels, and binding bile acids in vitro. Exceptionally large amounts of silicon (1000 to 25 000 p.p.m.) were found in fibre products of greatly varying origin and chemical composition which were active in these tests. Inactive materials, such as different types of purified cellulose, contained only negligible quantities of the element. It is concluded that silicate-silicon may be the active agent in dietary fibre which affects the development of atherosclerosis. Two out of three samples of bran also had relatively low levels, which could explain why bran does not lower serum-cholesterol. The fact that atherosclerosis has a low incidence in less developed countries may be related to the availability of dietary silicon. Two instances are presented where silicon is reduced by industrial treatment: white flour and refined soy products were much lower in silicon than--their respective crude natural products. The chemical nature of silicon in different types of fibre is not known. It could exist as orthosilic acid, polymeric silicic acid, colloidal silica (opal), dense silica concentrations, or in the form of organically bound derivatives of silicic acid (silanolates). Possible mechanisms of action are discussed.

Topics: Anticholesteremic Agents; Arteriosclerosis; Cellulose; Dietary Fiber; Edible Grain; Flour; Glycine max; Humans; Pectins; Silicon

Topics: Aged; Arteriosclerosis; Finland; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Silicon; Water Supply

Topics: Aged; Aging; Aorta; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Calcium; Child, Preschool; Cobalt; Elements; Humans; Iron; Magnesium; Male; Manganese; Phosphorus; Potassium; Silicon; Sodium; Zinc

Topics: Aortic Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Chromatography, Gas; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Esters; Fatty Acids; Humans; Hydrolysis; Oleic Acids; Oxidation-Reduction; Palmitic Acids; Silicon; Sterols

Topics: Aorta; Aortic Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Ceramides; Chromatography, Gas; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Ethers; Fatty Acids; Fatty Alcohols; Glycerol; Humans; Lipids; Mass Spectrometry; Methylation; Silicon

Topics: Aortic Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Chromatography, Gas; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Fatty Acids; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Methods; Oxidation-Reduction; Silicon; Spectrum Analysis; Sterols

Topics: Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Blood Vessels; Lipid Metabolism; Rabbits; Salicylates; Silicon

Topics: Adenine Nucleotides; Animals; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Citric Acid Cycle; Glycosaminoglycans; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Rabbits; Silicon; Staining and Labeling

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Humans; Rabbits; Silicon

Topics: Aorta; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Cardiovascular System; Silicon

Topics: Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Humans; Potassium; Silicon