[The role of carotenoids in the development of compensatory reactions of the body to hypoxia].

As a result of the examination of 76 patients with atherosclerosis (57 with ischemic stroke and 19 with chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency) the authors have established a definite correlation between the blood levels of carotinoids and the degree of hypoxia and cerebral ischemia, as well as between pigment concentrations and the oxygen consumption by tissues which indicates an active participation of carotinoids in the processes of body adaptation to hypoxia. The necessity of the drug correction of carotinoid concentrations in patients with ischemic vascular lesions of the brain is justified.