[Endotoxin-induced injury to the endothelium].

Literature and own data on endotoxin- induced injuries to endothelium are reviewed. It is shown that endotoxin can cause, hyperactivation of granulocytes, activation of complements, local endothelial injuries and some increase of vascular cell wall permeability, oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and LDL-LPS complexes, binding of LPS with high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and some decrease of HDL ability to bind cholesterol, stimulation of endothelial and smooth muscle cell replication in local injuries to vessel wall. Low doses of endotoxin were found in blood plasma and on granulocytes surface in healthy and sick subjects. It is concluded that intestinal microflora endotoxin may play an essential role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.