Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN THE MASAI1

1972; Oxford University Press; Volume: 95; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a121365

1476-6256

George V. Mann, Anne Spoerry, M Williams Gary, DEBRA JARASHOW,

Calpain Protease Function and Regulation

Mann, G. V. (Vanderbilt Univ. School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn. 37203), A. Spoerry, M. Gray, and D. Jarashow. Atherosclerosis in the Masai. Am J Epidemiol 95: 26–37, 1972.–The hearts and aortae of 50 Masai men were collected at autopsy. These pastoral people are exceptionally active and fit and they consume diets of milk and meat. The intake of animal fat exceeds that of American men. Measurements of the aorta showed extensive atherosclerosis with lipid infiltration and fibrous changes but very few complicated lesions. The coronary arteries showed intimal thickening by atherosclerosis which equaled that of old U.S. men. The Masai vessels enlarge with age to more than compensate for this disease. It is speculated that the Masai are protected from their atherosclerosis by physical fitness which causes their coronary vessels to be capacious.