Effect of exercise and guanethidine on plasma cholesterol and aortic atherosclerosis of atherogenic-fed cockerels.

The effects of exercise (EX) and guanethidine (G) or its combination on plasma cholesterol and incidence and severity of aortic atherosclerosis of atherogenic-fed (AD) cockerels were studied. Eighty-five 16-week-old Hyline cockerels were subdivided as follows: I. Plain mash (PM); II. PM + EX; III. PM + G; IV. PM + EX + G; V. AD only; VI. AD + EX; VII. AD + G; and VIII. AD + EX + G. Birds ran approximately 500 yards for 20 minutes twice daily for twelve consecutive weeks. G (2.5 mg) was administered per os daily. The atherogenic diet consisted of 2% cholesterol + 5% cottonseed oil added to mash. At the end of 12 weeks the following results were obtained: 1) EX or G or its combination had no effect on plasma cholesterol of birds on PM. All AD-fed groups showed marked hypercholesterolemia as compared to their initial values. The AD + EX group had significantly lower plasma cholesterol level when compared to AD controls or AD + G group; 2) no gross aortic atherosclerosis was observed in cockerels on PM. The group on AD only had the most severe gross aortic atherosclerosis while the AD birds treated with G or EX + G had slightly lower aortic atheromatosis. This was in contrast to AD + EX group which showed a significant decrease in aortic atherogenesis. These results indicate that EX reduces plasma cholesterol and aortic atherosclerosis of AD birds while these effects of EX were negated by G.

Long-term effects of diazepam on plasma lipids and atheroma in roosters fed in atherogenic diet.

Long-term effects of diazepam on plasma lipids and atheroma in roosters fed an atherogenic diet have been studied. Our data indicate that long-term administration (8 months) of diazepam (Valium) 0.2 mg/kg orally lowered the plasma cholesterol level when compared to the atherogenic group, but this was not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05). However, at the dose of 0.4 mg/kg of Valium the plasma cholesterol was significantly lowered when compared to the controls on an atherogenic diet (P less than 0.05). Both doses of Valium significantly decreased the incidence and severity of lesions on the endothelial surface of the aorta and coronary artery in roosters fed an atherogenic diet. No changes in plasma triglyceride values were noted. Administration of 0.4 mg/kg of Valium to birds receiving the atherogenic diet produced a small but significant increase of mean, systolic and diastolic blood pressures as compared to the birds receiving an atherogenic diet but no Valium. A similar increase in blood pressure was also noted in the control group on plain mash diet receiving 0.2 mg/kg of Valium. Microscopic examination of the coronary arteries showed that birds on an atherogenic regimen receiving Valium had less atherosclerosis than those not receiving Valium.