Atherosclerosis refers to build up of plaques in blood vessels. This leads to obstruction of blood flow which results in mortality. The plaque development occurs at endothelial cells. This research by Dai, et al., 2004 aims to understand the functional and non functional physical features of endothelial cells in condition of specific blood flow pattern. They utilized 3D flow analysis to characterize flow patterns and used "athero-prone" and "athero-protective" waveforms. These were found to represent shear stress on carotid artery that could easily develop or resist formation of atherosclerotic lesion.
The analysis of results were done via cDNA microarrays for gene expression. The effect of waveforms was also checked through different parameters like expression and localization of junctional proteins, expression of adhesion molecules and expression of proinflammatory cytokines etc. The researchers conclude presence of phenotypic alteration depending upon shear stress in atherosclerosis sensitive and resistant human arterial geometries.
The patient could possibly have contracted some sort of foreign disease or might simply have an intolerance to a certain protein such as gluten with celiacs disease.
