Induction of Aortic and Coronary Athero-arteriosclerosis in Rats Fed a Hypervitaminosis D,Cholesterol-Containing Diet 1

Abstract

Summary

Massive athero-arteriosclerotic lesions of the aorta and coronary arteries were induced in 100% of the young adult male rats fed a purified basal ration supplemented with 1.5% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid, and 1.25 million USP units of vitamin D₂ (viosterol)/kg of diet for an experimental period of 6 weeks. Rats fed a similar diet with the cholesterol and cholic acid omitted showed extensive arteriosclerotic lesions but no lipid-stainable material (true atheromata) was present at the sites of arterial injury. No abnormal microscopic findings were observed in the aorta and coronary arteries of rats fed the basal ration alone or the basal ration plus cholesterol and cholic acid without the vitamin D₂ supplement.