MORPHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MODERATE DIET AND CLOFIBRATE ON SWINE ATHEROSCLEROSIS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 102  (6) , 289-293
Abstract
Early proliferative coronary atheroscierosis was produced in swine by feeding them a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet for 17 mo. One group of animals was killed (reference group), while the remainder was transferred for 12 mo. to a moderate diet that resulted in serum cholesterol levels of about 190 mg/100 ml. The moderate diet did not only decrease the size of coronary lesions, but also prevented their progression. Clofibrate therapy caused regression in size, gross sudanophilia, extent of calcification and the disappearance of foam-cell lesions. Apparently resultant serum cholesterol levels are more important than the amount of dietary cholesterol in the progression, prevention, and regression of swine coronary atherosclerosis.