TOTAL CHOLESTEROL, TOTAL TRIGLYCERIDES, AND CHOLESTEROL DISTRIBUTION AMONG LIPOPROTEINS AS PREDICTORS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN SELECTED LINES OF JAPANESE-QUAIL

The proportions of plasma high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol have been linked to inherited tendency for atherosclerosis in humans. Studies were conducted with Japanese quail males from lines genetical ly selected for high and low TC and a randombred (unselected) control line that were fed 0.0 or 0.5% cholesterol for 12 weeks. Atherosclerot ic plaques were more severe in the high than in the low line quail and in those fed cholesterol compared to non-cholesterol-fed quail. Serum TG, TC, VLDLC, LDLC, and HDLC were also higher in the high than in th e low line quail and in cholesterol-fed vs. non-cholesterol-fed quail. Significant interactions indicated that TC and LDLC concentrations we re more affected by dietary cholesterol in the high line than in the l ow line. The low line quail maintained higher HDLC and lower LDLC than the high line. Regression and correlation analyses revealed that alth ough VLDLC, LDLC, and TC were significant predictors of atherosclerosi s in the high line birds, the TC/HDLC ratio was a better predictor in the low Line. The Japanese quail lines used herein represent useful ex perimental models for studies of genetic differences in atherosclerosi s in humans. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.