Abstract

The development of a reliable and relatively simple micro‐assay for lipid peroxides in serum or plasma has made it possible to conduct clinical surveys of lipid peroxide levels in man. From many studies made in Japan, those suggesting a relationship between the elevation of lipid peroxide level plasma serum and the occurrence of vascular disorders are discussed here.The data described in this paper show that the elevation of the serum lipid peroxide level over the normal value is a direct cause of the initiation of atherogenesis. Therefore, any factor bringing about the elevation of serum lipid peroxide levels, such as irradiation, would be an indirect cause of atherogenesis. In fact, irradiation is known to provoke this disorder and to elevate serum lipid peroxide levels.