Action of Choline on Experimental Aortic Atherosclerosis

Abstract

A previous communication1 reported that the administration of choline to cholesterol-fed rabbits failed to prevent gross atherosclerosis, but did nevertheless result in a temporary delay in the appearance of aortic atheromata. The present study was designed to determine whether choline is effective in causing a reabsorption of the lesions previously produced in cholesterol-fed rabbits.Twenty male chinchilla rabbits approximately 6 months old were used. The animals were kept indoors in individual cages. The diet consisted of oats, carrots and cabbage. One gram of cholesterol was mixed into the food of each rabbit 3 times a week for 110 days. The animals were then divided into 3 groups. Groups I-A and I-B, consisting of 5 animals each, were designated as controls. Group II contained 10 animals. Group I-A animals were sacrificed immediately after the 110-day cholesterol feeding period was completed. Group I-B animals were placed on the regular diet for 60 days after the cholesterol feeding period was discont...