[Effect of atherogenic diet on the liver lipid level and development of aortic sclerosis in dogs].

Metabolic efficiency of the liver of 16 dogs, mixed breed, sexually mature, of both sexes was studied in a lasting experiment. The animals were kept in cages without a run, divided into 3 groups - k, A6 and A12. They were fed an atherogenic diet for 6 and 12 months. Beside cholesterol pork fat and cholic acid, the diet contained metizol. Hepatic lipids were analysed by the method of thin-layer chromatography and densitometric measurements. The numerical results statistically verified have been given in mg/g of wet liver tissue taken from the right lobe, homogenized and extracted after the method of Folch et al. Pathomorphological changes in the abdominal aorta were evaluated macro- and microscopically. The magnitude of aortosclerotic changes was compared with mean values of hepatic lipids. The numerical values and the image of chromatographic distribution are shown in Table 1 and Figs 1, 2 and 3. After 6 month feeding, in group A6 the authors observed a considerable increase of hepatic lipids, preserved capability of cholesterol esterification and the occurrence of early atherosclerotic changes in the aorta. After 12 months, the level of lipids such as phospholipids, free fatty acids, triglycerides and free cholesterol increased. However, a turning point in the capability of cholesterol esterification was observed, which was expressed by a decrease of cholesterol esters. In the abdominal aorta developed atherosclerosis marked with 2 and 3 pluses was found. It is concluded that beside metizol and overloading highcaloric diet, lack of movement contributed to metabolic disturbances expressed by hepatopathy, hyperlipemia and aortosclerosis, which has a great influence in dogs on preservation of homeostasis of the organism.