Induction of aortic lipid deposition in a high-response (ExHC) rat fed a diet containing cholesterol and cholic acid.

Male ExHC and Sprague--Dawley rats were fed a diet containing 3% cholesterol, 0.6% sodium cholate and 15% olive oil for 16 weeks. The ExHC rat is highly susceptible to dietary hypercholesterolemia. Aortas of the ExHC rats showed Sudan-stained deposits and cholesterol accumulation in the intima and media, whereas no deposited lipids were seen in those of the Sprague--Dawley rats. In male and female ExHC rats fed diets containing the above supplements at 3 dose levels, plasma cholesterol and aortic lipid deposition were found to be dose-dependent. Lipid deposition was more prominent in female than in males, but aortic intimal proliferation was absent.