Effects of a vegetarian diet vs. a vegetarian diet enriched with avocado in hypercholesterolemic patients.

To determine the effects of a vegetarian diet with avocado as a source of monounsaturated fat on serum lipids, thirteen patients with phenotype II (twelve with IIa and one with IIb) dyslipidemia were included in a prospective, transversal and comparative study in which three four-week diets randomly assigned were assessed. One vegetarian diet (ALVD) was composed of 70% carbohydrates, 10% proteins and 20% lipids. Another was composed of 60% carbohydrates, 10% proteins and 30% lipids, 75% of which was supplied by avocado (AVD).

Rapeseed diet and hepatocyte hypertrophy: an experimental morphometric study.

A previous study suggested that a rapeseed diet induced hepatocellular hypertrophy in normal albino rats. In the present study morphometry confirmed that a rapeseed diet produces hepatocytic hypertrophy which, according to cytological findings, is primarily due to an increase in the cytoplasmic area. A combination of a rapeseed diet and the administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) also led to hepatocellular hypertrophy but the histological picture of the cirrhosis was similar to the one in control animals receiving CCl4 alone.

Effects of avocado as a source of monounsaturated fatty acids on plasma lipid levels.

To examine the effects of avocado on plasma lipid concentrations, a three-diet trial involving 16 healthy volunteers was carried out. A diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids using avocado as their major source (30% of the total energy was consumed as fat: 75% of the total fat from the avocado), with restriction of saturated fats and less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day was evaluated. Subjects also were in a free-diet period with the addition of the same amount of avocado.

[Peliosis hepatis].

A 35 years old female with peliosis hepatis is reported. She came to us complaining of muscular aches. The only positive finding at the physical examination was a normal size liver but palpable in a deep breath; it was hard, no tender, with smooth surface.