Nikolai N. Anitschkow and the lipid hypothesis of atherosclerosis

One hundred years ago, Nikolai N. Anitschkow published his seminal observations that rabbits fed a diet with only high-cholesterol developed atheromatous lesions in association with greatly elevated blood cholesterol. For many years, Anitschkow’s observations received little recognition. However, eventually a combination of experimental work, autopsy studies, epidemiological investigation and clinical trials has led to the firm establishment of the essential role of lipids in the response to injury theory of atherosclerosis. The twists and turns in the acceptance of the lipid hypothesis of atherosclerosis is briefly reviewed. Today, it is well worth celebrating the 100th anniversary of the seminal insight into human vascular disease of the brilliant experimental pathologist, Nikolai N. Anitschkow.