The effect of chronic renal failure in rabbits on plasma lipids and the concentration of cholesterol, calcium and phosphate in the aortic wall.

The uptake of labelled cholesterol and the concentration of free and esterified cholesterol in the thoracic aorta were measured in rabbits with chronic renal failure (CRF), one group with both hypercholesterolaemia and 10 weeks of CRF, one with only CRF during three months and one with only CRF during eight months. In the first group no effect of CRF was found on the uptake or on the aortic concentrations of cholesterol. After three months of CRF the uptake of esterified cholesterol and the aortic concentration of cholesterol was higher than in controls. After eight months CRF the uptake of free and esterified cholesterol was higher than in controls as was the aortic concentration of cholesterol. Very much higher aortic concentrations of calcium, magnesium and phosphate were found in the CRF animals. In the serum the concentrations of calcium, phosphate and triglyceride were higher in the CRF animals.