PREVENTION OF PREATHEROMATOUS LESIONS IN SAND RATS BY TREATMENT WITH A NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT

Sand rats fed a hypercholesterolaemic diet containing 0.01 % of the th e anti-thyroid agent 2-mercapto-1-imidazole develop preatheromatous le sions similar to those found in humans, in addition to obesity and ins ulin resistance. The effects of a nutritional supplement rich in essen tial fatty acids and garlic extract (Arterodiet(R)) on the appearance and evolution of the lesions were studied. Treatment with this nutriti onal supplement significantly decreased circulating triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels but did not alter pla sma insulin or glucose levels. Intra-arterial cholesterol levels were also decreased by the treatment which resulted in a normalisation of t he atherosclerotic lesions in these animals.