Serum lipid profile in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis; [Lipidni profil u serumu kunića sa eksperimentalnom aterosklerozom]

Abstract

Having in mind the influence of lipid profile in initiation and development of atherosclerosis, we examined the concentration of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins in the serum from rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis induced by a hypercholesterolemic diet (4% solution of crystalline cholesterol in edible oil). For this study three groups of rabbits were used: a control group fed on the standard diet for this species (n=7), control group fed on an oil-containing diet (n=7) and experimental group fed on a hypercholesterolemic diet (n=7). After two months of treatment we examined the serum concentration of lipids by using enzymatic colorimetric method. Experimental atherosclerosis was confirmed pathohistologically. The levels of concentration of total cholesterol and low density lipoproteins were highly significantly increased (p<0.01) in the sera of the investigated groups compared to the control group. In comparison with the control group the concentration of triglycerides was highly significantly decreased (p<0.01) in the serum of investigated groups. The level of high density lipoproteins was significantly decreased in the serum of the investigated groups compared to the control group, as well as in the serum of experimental group fed on a hypercholesterolemic diet compared to the control group fed on an oil-containing diet (p<0.05 respectively). Our findings indicate that lipid profile has an important role in the pathogenesis of experimental atherosclerosis.