The effect of Bengal gram on acid mucopolysaccharide distribution in egg-yolk induced atherosclerosis in rabbits
Madhavan, M.; Chandra, K.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 63(1): 151-155
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 129434 Document Number: 93269
Rabbits initially 4 to 6 months old were in 5 groups of 15. The basal diet was of sucrose 60, wheat flour 20, casein 15 and vitamin mixture 5%, but for 2 groups 40% Bengal gram replaced the same proportion of sucrose. The groups from A to E had the basal diet with 3 g egg yolk daily; the Bengal gram diet with egg yolk; basal diet with egg yolk and, beginning after 2 months on egg yolk, oestrogen in the form of Ovocyclin 1 mg by subcutaneous injection on 6 days a week for 3 months; Bengal gram diet alone; basal diet and oestrogen injections. The feeding period was 7.5 months and 1 rabbit of each group was killed every 2 weeks. The egg yolk supplement induced hypercholesterolaemia, serum cholesterol in group A rising in 3 months to 450 mg/100 ml and remaining high thereafter. With Bengal gram the rise was limited so that the highest value, reached in 2 months, was 180 mg/100 ml. Oestrogen injections prevented any further rise of cholesterol while they were being given but when they were withdrawn the increase was resumed. The rabbits given no egg yolk showed no rise of cholesterol. Acid mucopolysaccharide (AMPS) was present in the aortic media of the last 2 groups in moderate amount. Atherosclerotic plaques of group A showed increasing subintimal accumulation of AMPS later giving way to lipophages. In groups B and C the AMPS was soon replaced by collagen and no AMPS was present in the intima of those groups after the 4th month, although AMPS content of the media was unchanged. The similarity in effects of Bengal gram and oestrogen may be due to the presence in the former of the alkaloid biochanin A, which is similar in molecular conformation to oestrogen.