Production of arteriosclerosis in dogs by cholesterol and thiouracil feeding

Abstract

1. 1. The production of arteriosclerosis in an omniverous mammal, the dog, by the feeding of cholesterol and thiouracil has been confirmed. 2. 2. The resultant arteriosclerotic lesions in the dog have the same anatomical distribution and sites of predilection as do lesions in man, including the occurrence of cerebral arteriosclerosis. 3. 3. The morphological features of the arteriosclerotic lesions in dogs resemble those of human arteriosclerosis in that infiltration of the intima with foam cells and proliferation of the endothelium of the intima occurs in the early lesions, while extension into the media, hyalinization, hemorrhage, and calcification develop in the more advanced placques. 4. 4. It has been demonstrated that thiouracil in the dosage used does not lead to arterial lesions. 5. 5. The feeding of 10 Gm. of cholesterol daily, in addition to the regular diet, containing less than 5.0 per cent fat, without thiouracil, resulted in a moderate hypercholesterolemia and early arteriosclerosis in one dog.