Effect of Interventions Started Early in Life on the Development of Spontaneous Atherosclerosis

Abstract

A long-term study of the effect of interventions started early in life (3 mo. of age) on the age-related changes leading to spontaneous atherosclerosis in White Carneau pigeons was carried out. Of the 4 interventions tried, dietary restriction and cholestane-triol administration significantly decreased the incidence of atherosclerosis. Both of these interventions significantly reduced plasma cholesterol levels, aortic cholesterol content and percentage distribution of oleic acid in cholesteryl esters. Cholestane-triol, in addition, decreased the content of hydroxyproline in the aorta. Ileal bypass surgery had no significant effect on the severity of atherosclerosis. Estrogen administration caused an increase in aortic cholesteryl ester content and a trend toward an increase in the severity of atherosclerosis. Some interventions started early in life can successfully prevent spontaneous atherosclerosis.