Diet and Lipoprotein Influence on Primate Atherosclerosis

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Abstract
Squirrel and cebus monkeys fed a coconut oil diet develop comparable hypercholesterolemias, but the squirrel monkey primarily expands its low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol pool, whereas the cebus primarily increases its HDL [high density lipoprotein] pool of cholesterol. These results, coupled with the greater accumulation of aortic lipid, particularly cholesteryl ester, in the atherosclerotic-susceptible squirrel monkey, support the concept of the protective nature of HDL and the atherogenic potential of LDL. They also suggest that a species'' genetic control of the lipoprotein response to diet is variable and has important biological implications.