ANTIATHEROSCLEROTIC EFFECTS OF FISH EXTRACT FEEDING IN RABBITS

The feeding of a fish extract, prepared by extracting whole fish with 80% ethanol, prevented abdominal, thoracic aorta and coronary atheroma in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Daily fish extract feeding reduced serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels by 41.8 and 38.0%, respectively . In addition, triglyceride levels were reduced by 52.8%. Hepatic and aortic contents of cholesterol and phospholipids approached normal lev els in cholesterol-fed rabbits on the fish extract diet. Fish extract feeding induced a greater fecal excretion of cholesterol. Plaque forma tion was very little or absent in the aorta of fish-fed rabbits.