Alteration of collagen synthesis in different tissues of the atherosclerotic rabbit.

The effect of hypercholesterolemia on the rate of collagen synthesis in different tissues of the rabbit was investigated. Following 60-70 days of an atherogenic diet cholesterol content and collagen synthesis was estimated in rabbit aorta, liver and lung. All three tissues demonstrated significant increases in cholesterol and cholesterol ester content, but only the aorta and liver had a significant increase in collagen synthetic rate. These data demonstrate 1) that serum hypercholesterolemia does not cause a generalized increase in collagen synthesis in all tissues and 2) that tissue hypercholesterolemia does not always increase tissue collagen synthesis.