Ionizing Radiation, Atherosclerosis, and Lipid Metabolism in Pigeons

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Abstract
Pigeons of 2 breeds, exhibiting a high ("White Carneau") or a low ("Show Racer") degree, respectively, of susceptibility to aortic atherosclerosis have been subjected to X-irradiation with cumulative doses from 250 r to 6500 r, given in 5 to 14 sessions at 2-week intervals. Both breeds were remarkably radiation-resistant. An enhancing effect of radiation on the development of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta (Show Racers) or in the coronary arteries (White Carneaux) could be demonstrated only under certain conditions (longer time intervals, high radiation dosage, cholesterol feeding). It is concluded that ionizing radiations may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in pigeons, but that such a role is probably minor. Consistent long-range effects of X-irradiation on several parameters of lipid metabolism (levels of serum lipids, formation of liver lecithin by transmethylation, biosynthesis of lipids from acetate in isolated preparations of liver and aorta) were not detectable.