AN EVALUATION OF POTASSIUM IODIDE AS A THERAPEUTIC AGENT IN THE TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL HYPER-CHOLESTEREMIA AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS 1

Abstract

In a study employing both the rat and rabbit, the administration of iodide was not found to alter the intestinal absorption or excretion qf cholesterol. Further, except for a slight initial hypercholesteremic effect in the rat, iodide administration did not alter either the normal or abnormal disposition of endogenous cholesterol. Similarly it did not alter the hypercholesteremic response of the rat to cholesterol enriched food or that of the rabbit (if allowance were made in this animal for the delayed anoretic effect of iodide administration). Rabbits given iodide and a high cholesterol diet exhibited as much aortic atherosclerosis and cholesterol deposition as control rabbits when special measures were taken to ensure equal intake of a cholesterol enriched diet.