Essential fatty acids are shunted into an intracellular cholesteryl ester pool when the
endothelium is injured. An intracellular essential fatty acid deficiency occurs. The
consequences of this process are enormous. Less arachidonic acid is available for the
synthesis of prostacyclin enhancing both endothelial injury and platelet aggregation.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are not available for the control of cell proliferation through the
oxidant stress which is induced by hydroperoxy fatty acids. Smooth muscle cells proliferate …