Effects of chitosan on experimental rabbit atherosclerosis / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effects of chitosan on experimental rabbit atherosclerosis(AS).Methods:The models of rabbit AS were produced by a high fat diet.The rabbits were randomly assigned into normal diet(ND) group,high fat diet(HFD) group,chitosan and high fat diet(CHFD) group,chitosan and normal diet(CND) group.Fasting blood samples were collected for serum lipid assay on 0,4,8 weeks;the animals were killed on the 8th week to make aorta samples.AS plaque areas were estimated in the descending aorta dyed with oil red O and the ascending aorta dyed with H E.Results:TG,TC,LDL C in the CHFD group were lower than those in HFD group on 4 and 8 weeks;serum lipid concentration in ND group was similar with that in CND group;plaque areas in CHFD group were smaller than those in HFD group;intima thickness in CHFD group was thinner than that in HFD group.Conclusion:Chitosan reduces AS degree in rabbits of HFD group,which might be related to the decrease of serum lipid.