High-dose ascorbic acid decreases cholesterolemic factors of an atherogenic diet in guinea pigs.
BACKGROUND
The study evaluates the effect of a high supplemental dose of ascorbic acid (AA) on plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), total lipids (TL), and lipoprotein fractions high-density, very-low-density-, and low-density lipoprotein (HDL, VLDL, LDL) in guinea pigs fed with atherogenic diet.


METHODS
Group I consisted of 5 normally fed guinea pigs plus a low dose of AA (1 mg/100 g/day), group II consisted of 7 guinea pigs fed with food enriched with 2% cholesterol plus a low dose of AA (1 mg/100 g/day), and group III consisted of 7 guinea pigs fed with food enriched with 2% cholesterol plus a high dose of AA (30 mg/100 g/day). Cholesterolemic factors concentrations were determined after nine weeks.


RESULTS
Concentrations of TC, TG, TL, LDL, and VLDL were increased in group II compared to group I (p < 0.01 for all differences). Supplementation with a high dose of AA resulted in decreased concentrations of TC (p < 0.01), TG (p < 0.01), TL (p < 0.01), and LDL (p < 0.01) in group III compared to group II. Additionally, concentration of HDL was increased in group III compared to group II (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
High-dose AA supplementation to an atherogenic diet decreases concentrations of TC, TG, TL, and LDL and increases concentration of HDL compared to low-dose AA.
Filis
Konstantinos
K
First Department of Propedeutic Surgery, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Anastassopoulou
Aikaterini
A
Sigala
Fragiska
F
Theodorou
Dimitrios
D
Manouras
Andreas
A
Leandros
Emanouel
E
Sigalas
Panagiotis
P
Hepp
Wolfgang
W
Bramis
John
J
D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid