[Modification in lipoproteins and hepatic and fecal cholesterol levels induced by exogenous lithium in rats on an atherogenic diet].

Rats fed atherogenetic diet and drinking-water containing a well known Li+ concentration show, in comparation to atherogenetic rats which do not receive lithium, an expressive reduction of haematic lipids and hepatic cholesterol with a contemporaneous cholesterol increase in stools. Lipoprotidogram examinations prove that exogenous Li+ is able to prevent the haematic lipoproteins alterations produces by atherogenetic nourishment; electrophoretic pattern of these animals is indeed the same of the one obtained for rats fed usual basal diet and drinking-water.