Effects of methyl prednisolone and colchicine on the development of aortic atherosclerosis in swine.
The effect of methyl prednisolone and colchicine on the development of both the early proliferative and advanced atherosclerotic lesion in swine aorta was studied. In order to accelerate the development of atherosclerosis, the abdominal aortic endothelium was partially denuded by a balloon before the animals were placed on either a moderate or severe hypercholesterolemic diet. Neither drug in either dietary group inhibited the development of atherosclerosis. Swine receiving methyl prednisolone and severe hypercholesterolemic diet actually had a significantly greater number of the advanced necrotic lesions and more arterial calcification than the group receiving the atherogenic diet alone. In addition, the thoracic aorta of swine receiving the moderate hypercholesterolemic diet and methyl prednisolone showed larger amounts of lipid than did the non-drug fed control group. In swine receiving the moderate hypercholesterolemic diet, methyl prednisolone significantly raised serum cholesterol levels. Colchicine only slightly worsened the atherosclerosis in swine aorta and had no effect on serum cholesterol levels.
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003078:Colchicine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013552:Swine
D002784:Cholesterol; D003078:Colchicine; D008775:Methylprednisolone