THE EFFECTS OF HIGH-LEVELS OF VITAMIN-E ON THE PROGRESSION OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN THE WATANABE HERITABLE HYPERLIPIDEMIC RABBIT

Watanabe rabbits (5-6 months of age) were divided into two groups (seven each). One group was fed standard Purina Rabbit Chow and the second was fed the same diet supplemented with 2000 mg/kg diet vitamin E. (Purina Rabbit Chow contains about 30 mg vitamin E/kg diet). After 9 months, the rabbits were sacrificed and plasma lipids were determined, and the area of plaque involvement in the aortas was measured. The extent of plaque formation (percentage of the total surface covered with fatty streaks) was not significantly different in the two groups. However, there were differences observed in plasma lipids. Plasma total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were 20-30% lower in the vitamin E-fed group. Also, the concentration of cholesterol in the lesions of the aortic arch was about 25% lower in the vitamin E-fed group. These results indicate that high levels of vitamin E may have a beneficial effect on lowering plasma lipids observed in hyperlipidemia.