The effects of recurrent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection on pulmonary parenchyma and vasculature in rats fed on a cholesterol-rich diet.
It has been demonstrated that both hypercholesterolemia and infectious agents are contributing factors in atherosclerosis but their combined effect on the pulmonary vascular bed is not known. To answer this question, the authors tried to demonstrate the effects of recurrent infection on pulmonary parenchyma and vascular system in cholesterol-fed rats. Sixty-six rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Groups I (control), II (cholesterol-rich diet), III (recurrent pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection), IV (cholesterol-rich diet + recurrent infection). After 6 months serum cholesterol levels didn't increase in any of the groups. Central pulmonary artery wall thickness was increased in group IV (P < .0001). Although not significant, peripheral pulmonary artery wall thickness was increased in group IV. In rats fed on a cholesterol-rich diet, recurrent infection caused a significant increase in atherosclerosis, although serum cholesterol levels didn't increase. Infection and cholesterol-rich diet have a synergistic effect on atherosclerosis in the pulmonary vascular system in rats even in the absence of hypercholesterolemia.
Ozbudak
Omer
O
Department of Respiratory Diseases, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey. ozbudak@akdeniz.edu.tr
Ogus
Candan
C
Saba
Rabin
R
Turkay
Cengiz
C
Sahin
Nursel
N
Ozbilim
Gülay
G
Kiliçarslan
Bahar
B
D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012008:Recurrence
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D002784:Cholesterol