INFLUENCE OF SKIM MILK ON PLASMA-LIPIDS, LIPOPROTEINS AND LECITHIN - CHOLESTEROL ACYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN CHOLESTEROL-FED RABBITS

The effect of skim milk on plasma lipids, lipoproteins and lecithin: cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) activity was studied in albino male rabbits. The rabbits were given a high cholesterol (0.5%) food with skim milk powder (16%) or no milk (control group). At 12 wk the milk group showed lower levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, low-density lipoproteins and very low-density lipoproteins than the control group. The level of plasma high-density lipoprotein was significantly higher than in the controls. The cholesterol diets led to an increse in the molar LCAT rate and a decrease in the fractional LCAT rate in the plasma. The LCAT activity was lower in the milk group than in the control group. These findings suggest a useful role of skim milk in slowing down the biochemical changes which lead to atherogenesis.