Development of Advanced Atherosclerotic Plaque by Injection of Inflammatory Proteins in a Rabbit Iliac Artery Model

PURPOSE: Appropriate animal models of atherosclerotic plaque are crucial to investigating the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, as well as for the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of vascular devices. We aimed to develop a novel animal model that would be suitable for the study of advanced atherosclerotic lesions in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Atherosclerotic plaque was induced in 24 iliac arteries from 12 rabbits by combining a high cholesterol diet, endothelial denudation, and injection into the vessel wall with either saline (n=5), olive oil (n=6), or inflammatory proteins [n=13, high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) n=8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α n=5] using a Cricket™ Micro-infusion catheter. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed to detect plaque characteristics after 4 weeks, and all tissues were harvested for histological evaluation. RESULTS: Advanced plaque was more frequently observed in the group injected with inflammatory proteins. Macrophage infiltration was present to a higher degree in the HMGB1 and TNF-α groups, compared to the oil or saline group (82.1±5.1% and 94.6±2.2% compared to 49.6±14.0% and 46.5±9.6%, p-value<0.001), using RAM11 antibody staining. On OCT, lipid rich plaques were more frequently detected in the inflammatory protein group [saline group: 2/5 (40%), oil group: 3/5 (50%), HMGB1 group: 6/8 (75%), and TNF-α group: 5/5 (100%)]. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that this rabbit model of atherosclerotic lesion formation via direct injection of pro-inflammatory proteins into the vessel wall is useful for in vivo studies investigating atherosclerosis.

Resveratrol provoca efeitos antiaterogênicos em um modelo animal de aterosclerose / Resveratrol causes antiatherogenic effects in an animal model of atherosclerosis

FUNDAMENTO: O resveratrol protege o sistema cardiovascular por meio de uma série de mecanismos, incluindo atividades antioxidantes e antiplaquetárias. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os possíveis efeitos anti-inflamatórios e antiaterogênicos do resveratrol, utilizando coelhos alimentados com uma dieta hipercolesterolêmica (1 por cento de colesterol). MÉTODOS: Vinte coelhos brancos adultos do sexo masculino foram selecionados e divididos em dois grupos: grupo controle (GC), 10 coelhos; e grupo resveratrol (GR), 10 coelhos. Os animais foram alimentados com uma dieta hipercolesterolêmica por 56 dias. Para a dieta do GR, o resveratrol (2mg/kg peso/dia) foi adicionado do 33º ao 56º dia. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos no colesterol sérico total, no colesterol HDL, no colesterol LDL e nos triglicerídeos. No GC, 70 por cento apresentaram lesões ateroscleróticas avançadas da aorta (tipos III, IV, V ou VI). Todos os animais do GR apresentaram lesões ateroscleróticas leves da aorta (tipos I ou II) ou não apresentaram lesões. A razão entre a área intimal e a área da camada intimal/medial mostrou-se significativamente menor no GR quando comparada ao GC (p < 0,001). Áreas positivas para moléculas de adesão celular vascular-1 (VCAM-1) foram menores no GR (p = 0,007). As concentrações de proteína quimiotática de monócitos-1 (MCP-1) e de interleucina-6 (IL-6) mostraram-se significativamente menores no GR do que no GC (p = 0,039 e p = 0,015, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: O Resveratrol apresentou importantes efeitos antiaterogênicos e anti-inflamatórios em um modelo animal com coelhos alimentados com uma dieta hipercolesterolêmica.

BACKGROUND: Resveratrol protects the cardiovascular system by a number of mechanisms, including antioxidant and anti-platelet activities. OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects of resveratrol using rabbits fed a hypercholesterolemic diet (1 percent cholesterol). METHODS: Twenty white male rabbits were selected and divided into two groups: control group (CG), 10 rabbits; and resveratrol group (RG), 10 rabbits. The animals were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet for 56 days. For the RG diet, resveratrol (2mg/kg weight/day) was added from days 33 - 56. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the total serum cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides between the groups. Of the CG, 70 percent had advanced aortic atherosclerotic lesions (types III, IV, V, or VI). All animals from the RG had mild aortic atherosclerotic lesions (types I or II, or no lesions). The intima area and the intima/media layer area ratio was significantly lower in the RG as compared to the CG (p<0.001). Positive areas for VCAM-1 molecules were lower in the RG (p=0.007). The MCP-1 and IL-6 concentrations were lower in the RG than the CG (p=0.039 and p=0.015, respectively). CONCLUSION: Resveratrol had significant anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in an animal model with rabbits fed a hypercholesterolemic diet (1 percent cholesterol).

Effect of a cholesterol rich diet, recurrent infection and possible treatment modalities on the pulmonary vascular system: an experimental study / Efecto de la dieta rica en colesterol, la infección recurrente, y las posibles modalidades de tratamiento sobre el sistema vascular pulmonar: un estudio experimental

OBJECTIVE: Infection may lead to inflammation, atherosclerosis and thrombotic vascular events. The atherosclerotic effect of hypercholesterolaemia on the vascular system is well-known. However, limited studies were done on the therapeutic and preventative agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of infection and cholesterol rich diet combined with an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory agent and red wine on the pulmonary vascular system. METHODS: Fifty-nine rats were evaluated. Six groups were created: Control-Group I (n = 10); infection - Group II (n = 9), infection-cholesterol rich diet - Group III (n = 12), infection-cholesterol rich dietcefepime - Group IV (n = 11); infection-cholesterol rich diet-diclofenac potassium - Group V (n = 9); infection-cholesterol rich diet and red wine - Group VI (n = 8). Blood samples of rats were collected for cholesterol analysis every month. Sections of central pulmonary arteries were examined for thickness of the intima and medial wall by computerised image analysis. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in serum cholesterol levels and in thickness of the intima between the groups (p = 0.000). The rest of the groups had more intimal thickening than Group I (p = 0.000). Group III had thicker intima than Groups IV and V (p = 0.009, p = 0.011 respectively). There was no significant difference between the groups in thickness of media (p = 0.432). CONCLUSION: Infection and cholesterol rich diet have a synergistic effect on atherosclerosis in pulmonary arteries. However, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents could be useful in prevention.

OBJETIVO: La infección puede conducir a inflamación, ateroesclerosis y eventos vasculares trombóticos. El efecto aterosclerótico de la hipercolesterolemia en el sistema vascular es bien conocido. Sin embargo, se hicieron estudios limitados sobre los agentes preventivos y terapéuticos. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los efectos de la infección y la dieta rica en colesterol, combinados con agentes antibióticos, anti-inflamatorios, y vino tinto, sobre el sistema vascular pulmonar. MÉTODOS: Cincuenta y nueve ratas fueron evaluadas. Se hicieron seis grupos: grupo-control I (n = 10), grupo-infección II (n = 9), grupo infección-dieta rica en colesterol III (n = 12), grupo-infección-dieta rica en colesterol-cefepima IV (n = 11), grupo-infección-dieta rica en colesterol-diclofenaco potásico V (n = 9), grupo-infección-dieta rica en -vino tinto VI (n = 8). Se tomaron muestras de sangre de ratas para analizar el colesterol cada mes. Se examinaron secciones de las arterias pulmonares centrales para determinar el grosor de la pared íntima y media mediante análisis computarizado de imágenes. RESULTADOS: Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en los niveles de colesterol en suero y el grosor de la íntima entre los grupos (p = 0.000). El resto de los grupos tenía más engrosamiento de la íntima que el grupo I (p = 0.000). El grupo III tenía una íntima más gruesa que los grupos IV y V (p = 0,009, p = 0.011 respectivamente). No hubo ninguna diferencia significativa entre los grupos en cuanto al espesor de la media (p = 0.432). CONCLUSIÓN: La infección y la dieta rica en colesterol tienen un efecto sinérgico sobre la aterosclerosis en las arterias pulmonares. Sin embargo, los antibióticos y los agentes antiinflamatorios podrían ser útiles para la prevención.

Aterosclerose experimental em coelhos / Experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits

Numerosas pesquisas têm sido realizadas utilizando modelos experimentais para estudar o desenvolvimento da aterosclerose com dieta induzindo hiperlipidemia. Devido ao fato de que coelhos são muito sensíveis a dietas ricas em colesterol e acumulam grandes quantidades no plasma, a utilização destes animais como modelo experimental para avaliar o desenvolvimento de aterosclerose é de grande relevância, trazendo informação sobre fatores que contribuem para progressão e regressão aplicadas a situações humanas. Sendo assim, nessa revisão a função aterogênica do colesterol é mostrada em trabalhos que incluem o coelho como modelo experimental, uma vez que este animal tornou-se o mais popular modelo experimental de aterosclerose.

Many researches have been conducted in experimental models in order to study the development of atherosclerosis from hyperlipidemia-inducing diets. Since rabbits are very sensitive to cholesterol-rich diets and accumulate large amounts of cholesterol in their plasma, their use as experimental models to evaluate the development of atherosclerosis is highly relevant and brings information on factors that contribute to the progression and regression of this condition that can be applied to humans. As such, this review includes studies on the atherogenic function of cholesterol based on rabbits as the experimental model, since they have become the most largely used experimental model of atherosclerosis.

Evaluation of early abnormalities of the sensory retina in a hypercholesterolemia experimental model: an immunohistochemical study / Avaliação das anormalidades precoces da retina sensorial em modelo experimental de hipercolesterolemia: estudo imunohistoquímico

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the early changes of the sensory retina induced by hypercholesterolemia in an experimental model. METHODS: New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups: CG (Control Group) was fed a normal diet for 6 weeks. G1 was initially fed a 1 percent cholesterol diet for two weeks and from the 14th day on a 0.5 percent cholesterol diet until the 42nd day. The eyes underwent an immunohistochemical analysis with monoclonal antibodies anti-calretinin and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). RESULTS: G1 cells and cell elements presented significant immunoreactivity to anti-calretinin. No immunoreactivity to anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein was observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that a hypercholesterolemic diet may induce early changes in the sensory retina in rabbits. The anti-calretinin monoclonal antibody was able to reveal calcium accumulation inside the nerve cells.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é demonstrar experimentalmente as alterações precoces da retina sensorial induzidas pela hipercolesterolemia. MÉTODOS: Coelhos New Zealand foram organizados em dois grupos: GC (grupo controle), composto por 6 coelhos (6 olhos), recebeu dieta normal por 6 semanas; G1, composto por 12 coelhos (12 olhos), tratado previamente com ração colesterol a 1 por cento (Sigma-Aldrich) por 2 semanas e a partir do 14º dia com ração colesterol a 0,5 por cento (Sigma-Aldrich). Os olhos foram submetidos à análise imunohistoquímica com os anticorpos monoclonais anticalretinina e anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). RESULTADOS: G1 apresentou maior número de células e elementos celulares imunoreativos a anticalretinina que o GC, com relevância estatística. GFAP foi negativo em ambos os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo demonstrou que a dieta hipercolesterolêmica pode induzir alterações precoces na retina sensorial em coelhos. O anticorpo monoclonal anticalretinina foi capaz de revelar o acúmulo de cálcio dentro das células neuronais retiniana.

Physiological and physico-chemical characterization of dietary fibre from the green seaweed Ulva fasciata Delile / Caracterização fisiológica e físico-química da fibra alimentar da macroalga marinha verde Ulva fasciata Delile

This work aims to assess the potential of the green seaweed Ulva fasciata Delile as an alternative source of dietary fibre (DF). Total DF content was determined, some of its physico-chemical properties described and the physiological effects of U. fasciata meal on rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet were investigated. U. fasciata may be considered a potential alternative source of DF with a total content of about 400 g.kg-1 (dry basis) and interesting physico-chemical properties: water retention capacity of 8.74 g/water.g-1 dry sample (seaweed meal) and 0.90 (seaweed carbohydrate extract), lipid adsorption capacity of 4.52 g/oil.g-1 dry sample (seaweed meal) and 5.70 (seaweed carbohydrate extract), intrinsic viscosity of 2.4 dl.g-1 (seaweed carbohydrate extract) and cation exchange capacity of 3.51 Eq.kg-1 (seaweed carbohydrate extract). The diet containing seaweed meal was able to keep rats' total cholesterol (TC) down without causing any undesirable increase in LDL-C fraction. No evidence of toxic and/or antinutritional components in the seaweed meal was detected. Rats showed a fecal volume much greater (13 g) than that fed on cellulose diet ( 7 g) (p < 0.05). These properties confer on the seaweed the potential to be used in food technology for the acquisition of low-calorie food and might be important in body weight control, reduction of blood TC and LDL-C as well as in prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o potencial da alga marinha verde Ulva fasciata Delile como fonte alternativa de fibra alimentar. Foram realizadas a determinação do teor de fibra alimentar total e a descrição de algumas propriedades físico-químicas, e os efeitos fisiológicos da farinha da alga seca sobre ratos alimentados com dieta hipercolesterolemizante foram investigados. Esta alga pode ser considerada uma fonte alternativa potencial de fibra com cerca de 400 g.kg-1 (base seca) e propriedades físico-químicas interessantes: uma capacidade de retenção de água de 8,74 g/água.g-1 de amostra seca (farinha de alga) e 0,90 (extrato de carboidratos), uma capacidade de adsorção de lipídeos de 4,52 g/óleo.g-1 de amostra seca (farinha de alga) e 5,70 (extrato de carboidratos), uma viscosidade intrínseca de 2,4 dl.g-1 (extrato de carboidrato da alga) e capacidade de troca iônica de 3,51 Eq.kg-1 (extrato de carboidrato). A dieta contendo farinha de alga foi capaz de manter baixos os níveis de colesterol total de ratos sem causar aumento indesejável na fração LDL-C. Nenhuma evidência de componentes tóxicos e/ou antinutricionais na farinha de alga foi encontrada. Os ratos mostraram um volume fecal maior (13 g) do que aqueles alimentados com dieta contendo celulose como fonte de fibra (7 g) (p < 0,05). Essas propriedades conferem a alga o potencial de ser utilizada na tecnologia de alimentos para a aquisição de alimentos de baixas calorias, podendo ser importante para o controle do peso corporal, redução do colesterol sanguíneo total e da fração LDL-C, como também na prevenção de doenças gastrintestinais.

Effect of a cholesterol-rich diet on the metabolism of the free and esterified cholesterol components of a nanoemulsion that resembles LDL in rabbits

We have shown that the free cholesterol (FC) and the cholesteryl ester (CE) moieties of a nanoemulsion with lipidic structure resembling low-density lipoproteins show distinct metabolic fate in subjects and that this may be related to the presence of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. The question was raised whether induction of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in rabbits would affect the metabolic behavior of the two cholesterol forms. Male New Zealand rabbits aged 4-5 months were allocated to a control group (N = 17) fed regular chow and to a 1 percent cholesterol-fed group (N = 13) during a 2-month period. Subsequently, the nanoemulsion labeled with ³H-FC and 14C-CE was injected intravenously for the determination of plasma kinetics and tissue uptake of the radioactive labels. In controls, FC and CE had similar plasma kinetics (fractional clearance rate, FCR = 0.234 ± 0.056 and 0.170 ± 0.038 h-1, respectively; P = 0.065). In cholesterol-fed rabbits, the clearance of both labels was delayed and, as a remarkable feature, FC-FCR (0.089 ± 0.033 h-1) was considerably greater than CE-FCR (0.046 ± 0.010 h-1; P = 0.026). In the liver, the major nanoemulsion uptake site, uptake of the labels was similar in control animals (FC = 0.2256 ± 0.1475 and CE = 0.2135 ± 0.1580 percent/g) but in cholesterol-fed animals FC uptake (0.0890 ± 0.0319 percent/g) was greater than CE uptake (0.0595 ± 0.0207 percent/g; P < 0.05). Therefore, whereas in controls, FC and CE have similar metabolism, the induction of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis resulted in dissociation of the two forms of cholesterol.

Dietary cholesterol and estrogen administration elevate brain apolipoprotein E in mice by different mechanisms.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E plays an important role in the whole body cholesterol homeostasis. Recent studies suggest that it may also be involved in the local cholesterol transport in the brain, and influence the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by interacting with the beta-amyloid protein and brain lipoprotein receptors. Since apoE expression is highest in the brain, next only to the liver and associated with the pathogenesis of AD, we hypothesized that dietary and hormonal intervention, known to regulate hepatic apoE expression may also regulate brain apoE and thereby influence local cholesterol transport. To test this hypothesis, groups of male C57BL mice were fed either regular rodent chow or high fat (HF) and high cholesterol enriched diet for 3 weeks. In a separate study, groups of male mice were administered pharmacological doses of 17-beta estradiol for 5 consecutive days and sacrificed on the 6th day. As expected, HF diet elevated liver apoE mRNA and apoE synthesis. Similar to liver, brain apoE mRNA and synthesis also increased, following HF feeding. Estradiol administration increased liver apoE synthesis without affecting apoE mRNA. Interestingly, estradiol administration also increased the brain apoE synthesis, but without altering the brain apoE mRNA. These studies suggested that dietary cholesterol and estrogen administration elevated the brain apoE by different mechanisms.

Uso de tabaco e perfil lipídico-lipoprotéico plasmático em adolescentes / Tobacco use and plasma lipid-lipoprotein profile in adolescents

OBJETIVO: Analisar o impacto quanto ao uso de tabaco no perfil lipídico-lipoprotéico plasmático em amostra representativa de adolescentes. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi constituída por 452 sujeitos (246 moças e 206 rapazes) com idades entre 15 e 18 anos. Os participantes completaram questionário estruturado auto-administrado com relação ao uso de tabaco. As concentrações de lipídeos-lipoproteínas plasmáticas foram estabelecidas mediante procedimentos laboratoriais. Os procedimentos da análise de covariância, controlando a participação da ingestão de gordura saturada e de colesterol dietético, foram empregados para identificar as diferenças entre os valores médios. As estimativas de odds ratio foram utilizadas para estabelecer o risco relativo dos adolescentes fumantes apresentarem perfil lipídico-lipoprotéico de risco aterogênico. RESULTADOS: A proporção de fumantes foi de 20,9 por cento entre os rapazes e 15,4 por cento entre as moças. O consumo médio de cigarros por dia foi de 9,2 ± 4,7 nos rapazes e 5,6 ± 3,1 nas moças. Quando comparados com não fumantes, rapazes e moças fumantes apresentaram níveis séricos de colesterol total, LDL-colesterol, triglicerídeos e apolipoproteína B100 significativamente mais elevados, e níveis séricos de HDL-colesterol significativamente menores. Adolescentes fumantes tenderam a demonstrar risco de níveis de lipídeos-lipoproteinas plasmáticas alterados duas vezes maior que não fumantes. CONCLUSÃO: Intervenções direcionadas à adoção de um estilo de vida saudável, incluindo abstenção do uso de tabaco, deverão iniciar-se em idades precoces na tentativa de prevenir ou retardar o desenvolvimento de lesões ateroscleróticas e minimizar o aparecimento de coronariopatias prematuras na idade adulta.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of tobacco use on plasma lipid lipoprotein profile in representative sample of adolescents. METHODS: A sample of 452 subjects (246 girls and 206 boys) 15 to 18 years old were included in the study. Each participant completed a structured and self-administered questionnaire concerning tobacco use. Plasma lipid-lipoprotein concentrations were measured by standard procedures. Differences between mean values were evaluated by analysis of covariance, controlling for saturated fat and cholesterol intake. Odds ratio was used to estimate the relative risk of the smokers being classified with an undesirable level of a plasma lipidlipoprotein parameter. RESULTS: The proportion of smokers was 20.9 percent for boys and 15.4 percent for girls. The average consumption of cigarettes per day was 9.2 ± 4.7 for boys and 5.6 ± 3.1 for girls. When compared with non-smokers, boy and girl smokers showed a significantly higher serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B100, and significantly lower serum levels of HDL-cholesterol. Adolescent smokers tended to show a two-fold higher risk of altered lipid-lipoprotein levels than non-smokers. CONCLUSION: The present data could imply that intervention promoting a healthy lifestyle, including non smoking, should start at an early age to prevent or delay development of atherosclerotic lesions and ultimately to minimize the appearance of premature coronary heart disease in adults.

Lípides plasmáticos em ratos após cirurgia esplênica - efeito de dois tipos de dieta / Effects of two types of diet on plasma lipids in rats submitted to splenic surgery

OBJETIVO: Verificar o efeito da esplenectomia total e da ligadura dos vasos esplênicos principais nos lípides plasmáticos de ratos alimentados com dieta controle ou dieta acrescida de 2,5 por cento de colesterol. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 99 ratos Wistar, machos, pesando entre 273 g e 427 g (MA 349,46; DP 35,54), distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos: grupo 1, controle (n=19), não operado; grupo 2 (n=19), manipulação do baço; grupo 3 (n=31), esplenectomia total; grupo 4 (n=30), ligadura simultânea da artéria e veia esplênicas. Após a dosagem dos lípides plasmáticos, os ratos foram distribuídos em dois subgrupos, de acordo com a dieta prescrita após o início do experimento (subgrupo A, dieta controle; subgrupo B, dieta acrescida de 2,5 por cento de colesterol). Depois de 90 dias, foi realizada nova coleta de sangue para dosagem de lípides. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças significantes nos níveis de lípides entre os quatro grupos, no início do experimento (p>0,05). Nos subgrupos 1A, 2A e 4A, não ocorreram alterações significantes da HDL-colesterol, da VLDL-colesterol e triglicérides. A LDL-colesterol caiu significantemente nos subgrupos 1A e 2 A (p<0,05), e não significantemente no 4A (p>0,05). Nos subgrupos 1B, 2B e 4B, houve aumento significante do colesterol total, LDL-colesterol, VLDL-colesterol (p<0,05), e não significante da HDL-colesterol. No grupo 3, houve aumento significante dos lípides (p<0,01), principalmente no subgrupo 3B, exceto a HDL-colesterol, cujo aumento não foi significante. Nesse grupo, o colesterol total e a LDL-colesterol foram significantemente maiores que os dos grupos 1, 2 e 4. CONCLUSÃO: A esplenectomia total provoca aumento do colesterol total, da LDL-colesterol, da VLDL-colesterol e dos triglicérides, que é mais significante nos animais alimentados com a dieta acrescida de colesterol. A ligadura simultânea da artéria e da veia esplênicas previne contra as alterações dos níveis de lípides plasmáticos...

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to verify the effect of total splenectomy and ligature of the splenic vessels on the plasma lipid levels in rats fed a control diet or a diet supplemented with 2.5 percent cholesterol. METHODS: Ninety-nine male Wistar rats weighting between 273 and 427g (arithmetic mean: 349.46 ± 35.54) were randomly divided into four groups: group 1- control (N=19), nonoperated; group 2 - sham (N=19), laparotomy with spleen manipulation; group 3 -TS (N=31), total splenectomy; group 4 (N=30) simultaneous ligature of the splenic artery and vein. Blood was collected from all animals for determination of plasma lipids at the beginning of the experiment. Rats were than divided into two subgroups receiving either control diet (subgroup A) or diet supplemented with 2.5 percent cholesterol (subgroup B). Another blood sample was collected 90 days later for a new determination. RESULTS: No significant difference in plasma lipids between the four groups was observed at the beginning (p>0.05). In subgroups 1A, 2A and 4A, there was no significant difference in the values of HDL, VLDL and triglycerides, except LDL that dropped significantly in subgroup 1A and 2A (p<0.05) and not significantly in subgroup 4A. In subgroup 1B, 2B and 4B there was a significant increase in late postoperative plasma total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL (p<0.05) and a not significant increase of HDL. In total splenectomy, at late postoperative there was a significant increase of cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides, especially in subgroup B. In group 3 the cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides were more significant than in groups 1, 2 and 4. CONCLUSION: Total splenectomy caused a more significant increase of cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides in rats fed a cholesterol diet. The simultaneous ligature of vein and artery prevented alterations in plasma lipids observed in rats submitted to total splenectomy and maintained lipid levels similar to those of the...

Hypercholesterolemia and tissue-specific differential mRNA expression of type-1 5'-iodothyronine deiodinase under different selenium status in rats

Type-1 5'-iodothyronine deiodinase (5'-DI) is responsible for conversion of T4 to T3. Selenium (Se) is an integral part of this enzyme. Keeping in view the strong association between atherosclerosis and hypothyroidism, the present study examined the behavior of 5'-DI in liver, aorta and thyroid during hypercholesterolemia following different Se status, i.e., Se deficiency (0.02ppm), adequate (0.2ppm) and excess dose (1ppm) in SD male rats. Animals were fed a control or high-cholesterol diet (2%) for 1 and 2 months. 5'-DI activity and mRNA expression was measured by RIA and RT-PCR respectively. In liver and aorta, 5'-DI expression significantly decreased with the Se-deficient and the high-cholesterol diet. The trend was opposite in thyroid, i.e., mRNA expression increased significantly during selenium deficiency and with a high-cholesterol feeding. But with 1ppm Se supplementation, the 5'-DI expression increased in all the three tissues. The present study indicates that hypercholesterolemia along with selenium deficiency is co-responsible for differential regulation of 5'-DI enzyme in thyroidal vs. extrathyroidal tissues. Distinct regulation of 5'-DI in the thyroid reflects the clinical importance of this selenoprotein during hypercholesterolemia as this enzyme is essential for T3 production, which further has a vital role in the maintenance of lipid metabolism.

Influence of low cholesterol eggs enriched with vitamin-E and omega-3 fatty acid on blood lipid profile of Wistar rats.

In the recent past, low cholesterol eggs enriched with vitamin-E and omega-3 fatty acid have been developed and are marketed under different brands claiming them as heart friendly. The influence of these eggs (smart eggs) on lipid profile of rats was evaluated in comparison to that of the standard eggs. Data of 4 week dietary treatment revealed that total plasma cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol increased only 22% in rats fed on diet containing 4 smart eggs per kg of semi-synthetic diet in contrast to the increase of more than 100 % when fed on diet containing standard eggs. The results suggest that it is not the low cholesterol content alone but also vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids present in smart eggs that act synergically to prevent a substantial change in blood lipid profile and impose no serious risk to the health of the consumers.

Immune vasculitis induced atherosclerosis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The relationship between immune vasculitis and atherosclerosis was studied. The experimental model of weanling rabbits for immune vasculitis was reproduced by intravenous injection of 10% bovine serum albumin. There were 6 groups: group A, 25 weanling rabbits with immune vasculitis subject to coronary arteriography; group B, 10 normal mature rabbits subject to coronary arteriography; group C, 10 weanling rabbits subject to coronary arteriography; group D, 8 weanling rabbits with vasculitis and cholesterol diet; group E, 8 weanling rabbits receiving single cholesterol diet; group F: 8 weanling rabbits receiving basic diet. Four weeks later, coronary arteriography was performed in groups A, B and C. The rabbits in groups D, E and F were sacrificed for the study of pathological changes in the coronary artery after 12 weeks. The results showed that the dilatation of coronary artery occurred in 6 rabbits of group A, but in groups B and C, no dilatation of coronary artery appeared. In comparison with group E, more severe atherosclerosis occurred in group D, showing the thickened plaque, fibrous sclerosis and atherosclerotic lesion. Percentage of plaques covering aortic intima, incidence of atherosclerosis of small coronary arteries and degree of stenosis of coronary arteries were significantly higher in group D than in group E (P < 0.01). No atherosclerosis changes were found in group F. It was concluded that in the acute phase, the serum immune vasculitis can induce the dilatation of coronary artery of some weanling rabbits, and aggravate the formation of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with cholesterol diet. Immune vasculitis is a new risk factor of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.

Hypocholesterolemic effect of protein prepared from Phaseolus aconitifolius (Jacq.).

Hypocholesterolemic effect of protein concentrate (PC) prepared from moth bean (Phaseolus aconitifolius Jacq.) seeds relative to that of pigeon pea PC and casein were investigated in rats fed on hypercholesterolemic diet containing two per cent cholesterol. The test diets containing casein and legume PCs at 10% protein level were fed to albino rats (Wistar strain) for 45 days. Compared to casein, the two legume PCs produced significantly lower levels of liver total lipid and cholesterol levels except that pigeon pea PC produced only non-significant decrease of total cholesterols in the heart. In addition, the legume PCs produced significantly lower levels of serum triglycerides and total lipids as well as lower levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Moreover, only moth bean PC produced a significantly higher level of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Generally, PC of moth bean seemed to be more potent at lowering the elevated hepatic and serum lipids and cholesterol levels, which were attributed to the amino acid profile of this lesser-known legume as these indices well correlated with serum cholesterol levels.

Protective effect of ginger, Zingiber officinale Rosc on experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits.

The effects of air dried ginger powder (0.1g/kg body weight, po, for 75 days) were studied on experimentally induced atherosclerosis in rabbits by cholesterol feeding (0.3g/kg body weight, po). Cholesterol feeding for 75 days lead to distinct development of atheroma in the aorta and coronary arteriesof the rabbits and this was significantly inhibited by about 50% following ginger administration. There was distinct decrease in lipid peroxidation and enhancement of fibrinolytic activity in ginger treated animals. However, ginger did not lower blood lipidsto any significant extent. This distinct protection from the development of atherosclerosis by ginger is probably because of its free radical scavanging, prostaglandin inhibitory and fibri properties.

Concordância do sistema de pontos para controle de colesterol e gordura no sangue / Concordance of the scoring system for controlling the serum levels of cholesterol and fat

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a compreensão do sistema de pontos para controle de colesterol e gordura no sangue, como instrumento de intervenção dietética para pacientes hipercolesterolêmicos. MÉTODOS: Estudados 153 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 20 e 65 anos, atendidos em um hospital e uma unidade básica de saúde, divididos em três grupos: hipercolesterolêmicos; sem diagnóstico de hipercolesterolemia e profissionais da área de saúde. Aplicado recordatório de 24h em cada indivíduo, que fazia a pontuação de índice de colesterol e gordura saturada de sua dieta, consultando o sistema de pontos, e a pesquisadora confirmava os cálculos de cada participante, sendo esta considerada o padrão de referência. O entendimento do sistema foi avaliado pela comparação entre a medida de referência e os dados obtidos pelos entrevistados, utilizando-se o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes sem diagnóstico obtiveram alta correlação em todas as refeições. O café da manhã, a merenda e a ceia foram as refeições que obtiveram maior correlação (r=1). Nos hipercolesterolêmicos, a ceia foi a refeição que mais concordou com a pontuação de referência (r=1) e quanto aos profissionais de saúde obteve-se coeficiente de correlação de 1 em todas as refeições, exceto o almoço (r=0,99). CONCLUSAO: O sistema de pontos mostrou-se rápido, simples e fácil de ser compreendido e aceito pela população estudada.