[Effect of hypercholesteremic sera on endothelial cell proliferation in vitro].

Human hypercholesterolemic serum increases proliferation of human umbilical endothelial cells in vitro. This might be due to an increased content of low molecular weight growth factors, which are released by blood cells, mainly thrombocytes. Hypercholesterolemia could increase endothelial cell turnover and expression of dysfunctional cells which may support atherogenic processes.