Abstract
Summary
The response of guinea pigs to dietary cholesterol is unique among small animals. Instead of developing cardiovascular lesions, the guinea pig becomes acutely anemic. The anemia is accompanied by enlarged liver and spleen, and fatty infiltration of liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. Most of the organs showed striking pathological changes when examined microscopically. The liver showed lipid globules, erythropoiesis, spotty necrosis, accumulation of hemosiderin and cholesterol, and diffuse regeneration. Splenomegaly was due to erythropoietic proliferation, red cell congestion and, to a lesser degree, to fatty deposits. The primary change in the adrenal was a selective fatty infiltration of the zona fasciculata. The lungs showed fat globules in the histiocytes as well as fat emboli in the capillaries. The testes were small and poorly developed. Spermatogenesis was greatly impaired. The bone marrow was hyperplastic, and the kidney showed glo-merulosclerosis. The pancreas and heart were unaffected. The changes observed resulted primarily from alterations in the cellular structure caused by the accumulation of cholesterol, and secondarily from impaired liver function and the effects of the hemolytic process.
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