title: The hypocholesterolemic and antiatherogenic effects of topically applied phosphatidylcholine in rabbits with heritable hypercholesterolemia.
abstract: To test possible hypocholesterolemic and antiatherogenic effects of transdermally administered phosphatidylcholine (PC), we applied a 33% solution of PC in ethanol containing 0.01% butylated hydroxytoluene as antioxidant, to the shaved back of a strain of inbred rabbits which spontaneously developed hypercholesterolemia (serum cholesterol above 110 mg/dl) and severe atherosclerotic lesions especially in the aortic arch. After the topical application of PC, increases of choline-containing phospholipids in blood were observed, reaching a plateau in 24-48 hr. There were significant reductions in serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the treated animals 2-3 weeks after the treatment. Atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic arch were clearly less severe in the animals repeatedly treated with topical PC. The hypocholesterolemic and antiatherogenic effects of topical PC could be the result of increased cholesterol efflux from extrahepatic tissues and enhanced reverse cholesterol transport.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33101, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hsia
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Milikowski
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000473:pathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D002794:Choline / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007178:Inbreeding; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000145:classification; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010743:Phospholipids; D002784:Cholesterol; D002794:Choline