[Effect of several microelements contained in drinking water on the development of atherosclerosis].
During his whole life man drinks water - about 2 litres in 24 hours for an adult in the countries with moderate climate. Usually, drinking water contains many microelements. Their type and concentration depend mainly on the geochemical characteristic of the earth layers. The pollution of waters by industrial enterprises has, very likely, an effect on the content of microelements. According to literature data, in epidemiological studies information was collected, providing grounds to admit that some microelements have an effect ion atherosclerosis advancement. The results obtained are not convincing enough to judge if a casual relationship exists between the microelements in the drinking water and atherosclerosis advancement. In order to supplement the existing studies, the authors carried out investigations to elucidate the role of some microelement in the progress of experimental atherosclerosis. The results obtained provided grounds to claim that the microelements chromium, zinc, lead, cadmium, vanadium stimulate or restrict the advancement of experimental atherosclerosis.