title: The combination of high dietary methionine plus cholesterol induces myocardial fibrosis in rabbits.
abstract: Limited evidence suggests that myocardial fibrosis might be associated with dietary cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of high dietary cholesterol, methionine (the precursor to homocysteine), and the combination of the two diets on myocardial fibrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rabbits were randomly allocated into four dietary groups for 12 weeks: control (Con), 1% methionine (Meth), 0.5% cholesterol (Chol) or 1% methionine plus 0.5% cholesterol (MethChol).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Myocardial fibrosis was not significantly increased in Chol or Meth. However, interstitial fibrosis increased by 85% (p = 0.03) and perivascular fibrosis 28-fold (p < 0.01) in the MethChol group compared to Con.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that high levels of dietary cholesterol or methionine alone do not significantly increase myocardial collagen content. However, the combination of the two diets does cause myocardial fibrosis. Therefore, excessive cholesterol and methionine intake may be an important pathogenic factor in the development of myocardial fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia. azulli@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zulli
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hare
authors.forename: Brian F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Buxton
authors.forename: M Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D003094:Collagen; D008715:Methionine