Failure of Protein to Protect Against Cholesterol Atherogenesis in Underfed Rabbits

Abstract

Cholesterol feeding was shown to produce a greater degree of atherosclerosis and elevation of blood lipids and lipoproteins in underfed rabbits than well fed controls. The role of protein in the diet was evaluated by comparing the degree of atherosclerosis and elevation of blood lipids and lipoproteins developing in a group of underfed rabbits with 2 g daily cholesterol supplements, part of the group receiving food with double the protein content of the others. All of the animals were underfed and lost approximately 1/4 of their body weight. There resulted a marked degree of atherosclerosis and accompanying elevation of blood cholesterol, phospholipids, fatty acids aad lipoproteins in all animals. The degree of changes produced in the group on higher protein intake was not significantly different from the controls.