Production of Hyperlipemia and Early Atherosclerosis in Rabbits by a High Vegetable Fat Diet

Abstract
Feeding of a high vegetable fat diet made up of ground peanuts and purina chow to rabbits resulted in an increase in the serum cholesterol, as well as other serum lipids, including β-lipoprotein fraction. Microscopic lipid deposits in the intima and underlying media of the ascending and thoracic aorta were present in 10 of 33 rabbits at the end of 5 to 12 months. Small areas of gross atherosclerosis of the aorta were found in two rabbits.