[The effect of cholesterol oxidation products on the disruption of lipid metabolism and atherosclerotic damage of the aorta in rabbits].

Feeding of rabbits with a cholesterol preparation containing 3-5% of cholesterol autooxidation products promotes elevation of plasma cholesterol and atherogenic low- and very-low-density lipoproteins as well as accumulation of neutral lipids (largely, of cholesterol ether) in hepatocytes and intramural arteries of the myocardium. The development of massive aortic lipoidosis can be also attributed to the intake of relevant products. The similar dose of non-oxidized cholesterol did not induce marked or any changes at all in rabbits lipid metabolism and aortic status. The evidence obtained indicates an essential role of food exogenic products of cholesterol oxidation in mechanisms of hypercholesterolemia development and atherosclerotic involvement of vascular walls.