Promotion and regression of atherosclerosis in Vervet monkeys by diets realistic for westernised people

Abstract

We have described and measured aortic and arterial atherosclerosis in adult female Vervet monkeys (n = 61) after application of dietary treatments for 47 months. The diets were compounded entirely of normal food items for westernised people, with no extra cholesterol added. A ‘Western’ diet (WD), known to induce hypercholesterolaemia, was found to be atherogenic in aortas and some arteries. A more ‘prudent’ diet (PD) induced much less lipid infiltration into aortic intimas and was not associated with serious atherosclerotic changes. However, when this PD was used as a treatment for 27 months, following 20 months of nutrition by the WD, minimal regression of cholesterol crystals and non-lipid components of atherosclerotic plaque was detected. There was no significant coronary artery or myocardial disease in these adult females after 47 months of feeding on the WD whereas males do develop coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial fibrosis. For this model the PD would be more effective in preventing atherosclerosis than treating advanced lesions. We believe this is the first time that the pathology of atherosclerosis promoted by realistic diets has been modelled in adult females of this species.