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Potentiation of atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits by a high dietary level of vitamin E

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Susan L. Godfried
Affiliation:
Department of Poultry and Avian Sciences, Animal Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Gerald F. COMBS JR
Affiliation:
Department of Poultry and Avian Sciences, Animal Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA Division of Nutritional Sciences,Animal Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
James M. Saroka
Affiliation:
Department of Poultry and Avian Sciences, Animal Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Lloyd A. Dillingham
Affiliation:
Center for Research, Animal Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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Abstract

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1. Two experiments were conducted to determine whether or not high dietary levels of vitamin E affect the development of atherosclerotic lesions in aortas of cholesterol-fed (5 g/kg diet) rabbits that were mechanically deendothelialized by balloon catheterization.

2. In the first experiment, the aortas of rabbits fed 2000 mg vitamin E/kg diet (i.e. 50-fold their nutritional requirement) for 8 weeks showed no gross morphological differences, either within or outside experimentally damaged areas, from those of rabbits fed the nutritionally adequate control level (40 mg/kg) of the vitamin.

3. In the second experiment, rabbits fed 10000 mg vitamin E/kg diet (i.e. 250-fold requirement) for 14–15 weeks showed significantly greater endothelial loss and plaque formation at aortic sites outside of the mechanically damaged area than did controls. Plasma cholesterol levels were very high (9000–14000 mg/1) and were not affected by dietary vitamin E level until 10–12 weeks when they were reduced moderately (18%).

4. It is concluded that very high levels of vitamin E can potentiate spontaneous atherosclerotic lesions, and it is suggested that this effect may depend on high cholesterol status.

Type
Vitamins
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1989

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