Abstract
Indications that irradiated ergosterol administered perorally causes deposition of calcium in the arterial walls have appeared in the literature. Hückel and Wenzel 1 obtained thickening of the anterior portion and roughening of the inner surface of the aorta in rabbits. Hermann 2 found weight loss and evidence of calcification in the kidneys in rats. Hess 3 found hypercalcemia in infants.
Experimental production of calcification of arteries in laboratory animals such as the rat, which does not normally show this condition, would afford material for study of possible influences which hasten, retard, or remove the deposition.
Methods and Results. Four adult male albino rats were placed in separate cages, and fed a balanced basal ration. To each of 3 of these 1.5-2.0 cc. Viosterol (Irradiated ergosterol 100 D in oil) mixed in cheese or bread crumbs was fed daily. The fourth rat was fed a like quantity of cheese and oil. The hair became rough and coarse in the Viosterol fed rats within about 10 days and was shed gradually until the skin could be seen. The animals appeared restless and lost weight until at the end of 50 days their weight was reduced 50%. One of the animals died after 55 days, one after 67 days, and the third was killed after 74 days. X-ray examination of the third animal showed a definite shadow in the position of the aorta from its beginning throughout the thorax and abdomen. Macroscopic examination confirmed the X-ray findings, dense annular calcification being evident even to the branches of the iliacs. Similar examination of the other animals revealed the same findings but in less degree. Microscopic examination of areas of the aortae showed the intima to be the chief site of deposition with involvement of the media in the most extensive and thickly calcified areas.
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