Reversibility of cholesterol-adrenaline-induced atherosclerosis in rhesus monkeys: Evaluation of safflower oil and low-fat low-calorie diet

Abstract

An experimental study on rhesus monkeys has been carried out to evaluate the effects of “Saffola” and low-fat/low-calorie diets on the reversibility of high-fat-cholesterol and adrenaline-induced atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis in monkeys was induced by feeding 0.5 g cholesterol together with hydrogenated peanut oil for 5 months; these monkeys were also administered adrenaline hydrochloride (50 μg/kg body wt.) on alternate days. Twelve atherosclerotic monkeys were sacrificed to obtain baseline serum lipid profiles and histological data on the degree of atherosclerosis in aorta. Three groups of the remaining atherosclerotic monkeys were respectively fed “Saffola” diet, stock diet and a low-fat low-calorie diet for a further period of 5 months. Analysis of serum and aortic lipids showed significant depletion in all 3 groups, but the maximum effect was seen in monkeys fed the diet containing “Saffola”. Gross and microscopic examination of the aorta revealed definite regression of atherosclerotic lesions in all the 3 groups of animals. This study has provided further evidence that experimentally induced atherosclerosis in the aorta of monkeys can undergo partial regression as a result of feeding a polyunsaturated fat or a low-fat/low-calorie diet.