INHIBITION OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND MYOCARDIAL LESIONS IN THE JCR-LA-CPRAT BY BETA,BETA'-TETRAMETHYLHEXADECANEDIOIC ACID (MEDICA-16)

Atherosclerosis-prone, insulin-resistant JCR:LA-cp male rats were trea ted from 6 weeks to 39 weeks of age with beta,beta'-tetramethylhexadec anedioic acid (MEDICA 16). Body weights were reduced (13%, P<.001) at 36 weeks without any accompanying decrease in food consumption. The tr eatment did not cause any significant change in plasma glucose or fast ing insulin concentrations. There was a significant decrease in the ex treme hyperplasia of the islets of Langerhans (38%, P<.05). The marked VLDL hypertriglyceridemia was decreased by 70% (P<.001), with an acco mpanying significant reduction in cholesterol concentrations. The seve rity of raised treatment of an animal model for the obesity/insulin-re sistant/hyperlipidemic syndrome not only markedly improved lipid metab olism, but also inhibited the development of advanced cardiovascular d isease.