EFFECT OF 20-METHYLCHOLANTHRENE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSISIN LAP QUAILS

We studied the effect of 20-methylcholanthrene, a carcinogen, on ather osclerosis in the ascending aorta and brachiocephalic arteries of hype rlipidemic and atherosclerosis-prone (LAP) quail. A total of 66 quails mere divided into 6 groups and fed the following diets: Group I, basa l; Group II, basal+low dose of carcinogen; Group III, basal+high dose of carcinogen; Group IV, basal+0.2% cholesterol; Group V, basal+0.2% c holesterol+low dose of carcinogen; and Group VI, basal+0.2% of cholest erol+high dose of carcinogen. The carcinogen was dissolved in corn oil at 2 mg/ml and 4 mg/ml as low and high doses respectively, and mas gi ven orally twice weekly. Marked elevation of the serum cholesterol lev el and significant lipid-rich aortic lesions were observed in all the cholesterol-fed groups after 12 weeks. Although the serum cholesterol level in Group VI was lower than that in Group IV, the severity of the atherosclerotic lesion was greater in the former than in the latter. An immunohistochemical study showed a positive reaction of DBA, PHA an d OKM-1 with the lipid-containing cells of aortic intimal lesions.