title: The role of oxidative stress in alterations of hematological parameters and inflammatory markers induced by early hypercholesterolemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The investigation of the effects of a high cholesterol diet (HD) for a short-time period on hematological parameters and the potential role of oxidative stress and inflammation markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rabbits were fed either a control diet or a diet containing 1% cholesterol (HD) for 5-6 weeks. The plasma lipid levels, C reactive protein (CRP), total red blood cells (RBC), total white blood cells (WBC), platelet count, packed cell volume (PCV) and leukocyte formula were determined. Oxidative stress was evaluated by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total glutathione and GSH serum level measurements. The osmotic fragility and the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes were determined. The levels of total cholesterol and TBARS were also measured in the erythrocyte membrane suspension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A decrease in the RBC and PCV was observed in rabbits fed on HD. The membrane rigidity and osmotic fragility were increased, and the morphological changes caused by the HD and TBARS levels in the erythrocyte membrane may account for this phenomenon. The inflammatory markers as the CRP levels, the platelet count, the WBC and the neutrophils were increased. The TBARS and GSH levels in the serum were increased and decreased, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that feeding rabbits an HD for a short time induces hematological alterations, disturbances in the oxidant-antioxidant balance and an increase of inflammatory markers. These findings support the importance of the early correction or prevention of high cholesterol levels to disrupt the process leading to the development of cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiología (INSIBIO-UNT-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT), Tucumán, Argentina.
authors.forename: María Sofía
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Karbiner
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sierra
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Minahk
authors.forename: María Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fonio
authors.forename: María Peral de
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jerez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000502:physiology; D009996:Osmotic Fragility / Q000502:physiology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D018836:Inflammation Mediators
keywords: Anemia; Blood cells; C reactive protein; Hypercholesterolemia; Membrane fluidity; Oxidative stress; Rabbit