Administration of a small amount of lard enhances intimal thickening in the balloon catheter injury model without affecting serum lipids

Abstract

Effects of fatty acids on intimal thickening induced by a balloon catheter injury model were investigated by feeding rabbits a small amount of either lard [L] or fish oil [F]. Serum lipids of these groups were not different from those of basal diet - fed rabbits [controls] after 4 weeks of feeding. Serum saturated fatty acids such as 14 : 0, 16 : 0, and 18 : 0 were significantly greater in the L - fed rabbits compared with controls, but those of the aorta were not significantly different. Fatty acid composition of the F - fed rabbits was only different from that of the controls in that n - 3 fatty acids slightly increased. The mean and maximum intimal thickenings 2 weeks after ballooning, carried out 2 weeks after feeding, were significantly higher in the carotid arteries of the L - fed rabbits than in the controls. The intimal thickening of the F - fed rabbits did not significantly differ from that of the controls. These results suggest that lard promotes the formation of the smooth muscle cell dominant type of arteriosclerosis without affecting serum lipid levels.