The Effects of Nicotine on Aortic Endothelial Cell Turnover and Ultrastructure

Endothelial cell injury is one of the earliest detectable changes in the initiation of arterial intimai hyperplasia and atherosclerosis (Ross and Glomset, 1976; Moore, 1981; Ross, 1986). These early pathological changes are associated with the development of lesions which result in clinical conditions such as myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Cigarette smoking has been linked to arterial disease for over 30 years (Surgeon General USA, 1964; 1979) and is a well-recognized risk factor. However the direct relationship between smoking and the pathogenesis of arterial disease has not been precisely defined.