Induction of hypercholesterolemia in the rabbit with semisynthetic diets. Changes in the composition of high density lipoproteins

Abstract

The effects on HDL, cholesterol and apoprotein (apo) AI and E contents in New Zealand rabbits fed on casein or soybean protein were studied.The switch from a commercial diet to the semisynthetic diets produced in only 24 hours a cholesterol enrichment of HDL in both groups, being much greater in the group receiving casein.A parallel increase on cholesterol and proteins in HDL in both dietary treatments was noted after 7 days.Apo AI content increased more in the casein group than in the one fed on soybean protein.Apo E increased 100% in the casein lot, while it did not change or tended to diminish in the soya-group.Results suggest an increase formation of HDL rich in apo E as a metabolic response to hypercholesterolemia due to feeding rabbits casein.