Relation between hepatic lipid metabolism and the formation of lipid plaques in the rabbit aorta in an experimental model of atherosclerosis

: The objective of the work was to follow up on a model of experimental atherosclerosis induced in rabbits by a 1% cholesterol diet the mutual relationship of the deposition of total cholesterol as well as esterified and free fatty acids in the liver and the formation of lipid plaques in the rabbit aorta. The authors investigated also the influence exerted on this process by the s.c. administration of calcium antagonists--Verapamil 0.25 mg.kg-1.day-1 (Lek Ljubl., Jugoslavia), Dilthiazem 2 mg.kg-1.day-1 (Lachema CSFR) and Isradipine 2.5 mg.kg-1.day-1 (Isradipine--N Sandoz, Ltd, Switzerland). The interference of calcium antagonists with the lipid metabolism in the liver as well as the transport mechanism of lipids in the blood stream is differentiated. Verapamil administered in therapeutic doses promotes HDL-cholesterol formation and thus hastens the cholesterol transport from the blood stream into the liver where the latter cumulates. This may be one of the mechanisms of the antiatherogenic action of verapamil. On the other hand, isradipine and in particular dilthiazem administered in treble doses, as compared with therapeutic doses, slightly potentiated the formation of lipid plaques in the rabbit aorta and reduced the HDL-cholesterol level and thus also the cholesterol shift to the liver.