The effect of arylsulfonate esters on cholesterol--aggravated atherosclerosis in White Carneau Pigeons.

The arylsulfonate esters of linoleyl, stearyl, and decyl alcohols were found to reduce significantly the accumulation of cholesterol in the plasma and livers of White Carneau pigeons subjected to a diet of Purina pigeon pellets coated with 0.25% cholesterol and 10% lard when fed for periods ranging from 9--12 months; no effects were observed in normocholesterolemic pigeons. These compounds produced no toxic side effects and were found to significantly attenuate the development of aortic atherosclerosis. The effect on aortic atherosclerosis was most likely the result of the lowering of plasma cholesterol concentrations. Linoleyl p-toluenesulfonate appeared to be the most effective of the three arylsulfonates tested, both with respect to the reduction of plasma and liver cholesterol accumulation and attenuation of the atherosclerotic process.