The effect of arylsulfonate esters on cholesterol--aggravated atherosclerosis in White Carneau Pigeons.

The arylsulfonate esters of linoleyl, stearyl, and decyl alcohols were found to reduce significantly the accumulation of cholesterol in the plasma and livers of White Carneau pigeons subjected to a diet of Purina pigeon pellets coated with 0.25% cholesterol and 10% lard when fed for periods ranging from 9--12 months; no effects were observed in normocholesterolemic pigeons. These compounds produced no toxic side effects and were found to significantly attenuate the development of aortic atherosclerosis.

The effect of polyunsaturated fats on bile acid metabolism and cholelithiasis in squirrel monkeys.

Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) were fed diets containing safflower oil, butter, or coconut oil and 1 mg cholesterol/cal for 15--17 mo to examine the effect of type of fat on cholelithiasis and bile acid metabolism. Controls were fed low cholesterol diets containing an isocaloric mixture of the three fats. Cholic acid fractional catabolic rate, pool size, chenodeoxycholic acid pool size, and total bile acid pool size and excretion rate were estimated using a modification of Lindstedt's isotopic turnover procedure.

Hyperlipidemia, hypercoagulability, and accelerated thrombosis: studies in congenitally hyperlipidemic rats and in rats and monkeys with induced hyperlipidemia.

Inbred Carworth Farms Nelson (CFN) congenitally hyperlipidemic rats had significantly shorter coagulation and prothrombin times and higher levels of coagulation factors, II, V, VII, VIII, and X than did controls. Conversely, congenitally hypolipidemic rats of the same strain had significantly longer coagulation and prothrombin times and lower levels of factors II, V, VII, X and XII and of blood platelets than did controls. A loop-shaped polyethylene cannula was inserted into the aorta to assess the potential for thrombosis.

Proline hydroxylase activity and collagen content of pigeon aortas with naturally-occurring and cholesterol-aggravated atherosclerosis.

Proline hydroxylase activity and collagen content were determined in atherosclerotic plaque, fatty streak, and normal tissue from aortas of White Carneau pigeons with naturally-occurring of cholesterol-aggravated atherosclerosis. Little increase in collagen content or proline hydroxylase activity occurred in fatty streaks or plaques from birds with cholesterol-aggravated atherosclerosis. This is consistent with the morphologic observation of the presence of little or no "fibromuscular cap" in these cholesterol-aggravated lesions.

Studies on the regulation of plasma cholesterol levels in squirrel monkeys of two genotypes.

Certain individual squirrel monkeys ("hypo-responders") are able to remain normocholesterolemic when fed diets containing cholesterol (0.5 mg/kcal). Other squirrel monkeys ("hyperresponders") when fed the same diet become hypercholesterolemic.