Effect of lecithin on the development of experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits

S Juźwiak; J Wójcicki; A Machoy-Mokrzyńska; L Samochowiec; M Biaecka; Z Juzyszyn; B Barcew-Wiszniewska; J Skowron; L Rózewicka; D Kadlubowska

doi:10.1016/S0944-7113(96)80042-0

Effect of lecithin on the development of experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits

Phytomedicine. 1996 Jan;2(3):199-204. doi: 10.1016/S0944-7113(96)80042-0.

Authors

S Juźwiak¹, J Wójcicki, A Machoy-Mokrzyńska, L Samochowiec, M Biaecka, Z Juzyszyn, B Barcew-Wiszniewska, J Skowron, L Rózewicka, D Kadlubowska

Affiliation

¹ Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Powstancöw Wlkp. 72, PL-70-111 Szczecin.

PMID: 23194616
DOI: 10.1016/S0944-7113(96)80042-0

Abstract

Thirty male mongrel rabbits were divided into 3 equal groups: (1) controls, (2) animals receiving a high-fat diet (HFD) containing cholesterol and coconut oil, and (3) HFD + lecithin. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. In animals receiving a HFD (group II) the QRS interval (ECG) was significantly prolonged, and the concentration of lipid fractions (except for HDL-cholesterol) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the blood was markedly elevated. Distinctly lower concentrations of zinc in the serum and cytochrome P-450 in the liver microsomes were observed. When administered together with the HFD, lecithin normalized QRS interval duration, inhibited the diet-induced lipid metabolism disturbances, reduced MDA concentrations and increased zinc concentrations in the serum. Elevated under the influence of lecithin, the content of cytochrome P-450 in the liver microsomes was shown. Surface area of the lipid deposits at 12 weeks, measured planimetrically averaged 24.43% in HFD-fed animals vs 9.28% in lecithin-treated rabbits. We conclude that lecithin is responsible, not only for the hypolipidaemic properties, but also for the antiatherosclerotic action in rabbits.