Effect of Intermittent Hypoxic State on Atherosclerosis in Aorta of Rabbit

Abstract

9 male rabbits were exposed to short periods of systemic hypoxia for 2 weeks with nitrogen gas. They were classified into three groups by the contents of diet.
Group A: commercial diet
Group B: 2% cholesterol diet with low vita min E contents
Group C: 2% cholesterol diet with 500 I.U./kg of vitamin E
Atherosclerotic lesions in aortic wall were observed in all three groups. Microscopic examination of aortas showed thickened, calcified intima and marked degeneration media which were observed with human atherosclerosis in the early stage commonly. Concerning to the analysis of homogenized aortas, increase in total-cholesterol/free-cholesterol ratio, triglyceride and calcium concentration level were noticeably observed in group B. A model of experimental atherosclerosis with rabbits designed from hypoxic state with nitrogen gas will be useful to clear the mechanism of atherosclerosis.