Effect of aspirin on isoproterenol induced changes in lipid metabolism in rats.

The effect of aspirin on isoproterenol induced changes in lipid metabolism in rats was studied. Aspirin (1.2 mg/100 g/day) was administered orally for a period of 60 days along with/without isoproterenol (20 mg/100g sc twice at a time interval of 24 h for 2 days). Isoproterenol treated rats showed an increase in the levels of heart cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids. The activity of cholesterol ester synthetase CES was increased significantly with concomitant increase in heart lipid peroxide levels in isoproterenol treatment. Aspirin treatment could restore the enzyme activity to near normal and also reduce the level of lipid peroxides. The lipid changes were minimum in rats treated with aspirin and isoproterenol.