THE EFFECT OF HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA ON THE RABBIT TRANSARTERIAL WALL OXYGEN GRADIENT

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of hypercholes terolemia on the transarterial wall oxygen gradient. Female New Zealan d white rabbits (3-4 kg) were fed a 0.5% cholesterol supplemented diet or a 0.25% cholesterol supplemented diet and their transarterial wall oxygen gradients measured prior to the formation of atherosclerotic l esions at 4 weeks (0.5% cholesterol group) or 8 weeks (0.25% cholester ol diet) after beginning the diet. Arterial blood oxygen content and a rterial blood pressure were recorded during the experiments. Control r abbits had a serum cholesterol level of 52.8 +/- 6 mg/dl, rabbits fed the 0.25% cholesterol diet had serum cholesterol levels of 579.5 +/- 2 9.2 mg/dl, and those fed the 0.5% cholesterol diet had serum cholester ol levels of 1235.4 +/- 37.6 mg/dl. There was no difference in the tra nsarterial wall oxygen gradients between any of the groups. These resu lts were noted with no differences in arterial blood oxygen content, a rterial blood pressure, or evidence of atherosclerotic lesions. Hyperc holesterolemia does not alter the delivery of oxygen to the artery wal l prior to the formation of atherosclerotic lesions.