Vascular endothelial dysfunction is an important early event in atherogenesis. To evaluate the effects of different levels of cholesterol-containing diets on vascular function and atherogenesis, 17 New Zealand White male rabbits were randomized into four groups: Control with noncholesterol, 10-week 0.5% (0.5C-10) or 1% cholesterol (1C-10), and 14-week 0.5% cholesterol (0.5C-14) feedings. After 10 or 14 weeks, the aortas were harvested for studies of vascular endothelial function and percentage surface lipid lesions. The 0.5% and 1% cholesterol feedings resulted in the same degree of hypercholesterolemia independent of the level and period of cholesterol feeding. There was a decreased trend in vascular endothelial-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Fourteen-week cholesterol feeding induced the least vascular dilation at a concentration of 10-7 M acetylcholine (-38 +/- 3%, -23 +/- 4%, -23 +/- 2%, and -15 +/- 5% in control, 0.5C-10, 1C-10, and 0.5C-14 groups, respectively, P = 0.003). More cumulative exposure of arterial walls to cholesterol induced more surface lipid lesions in the aorta (r = 0.877, P < 0.001). There was a negative relationship between aortic lesions and vasodilation (r = -0.557, P = 0.020 for calcium ionophore; r = -0.463, P = 0.062 for acetylcholine). We conclude that the 0.5% and 1% cholesterol feedings induce similar degrees of hypercholesterolemia. However, aortic lipid lesions and vascular reactivity are dependent on cumulative exposure to cholesterol rather than serum cholesterol level only. Furthermore, decreased vascular endothelial relaxation in cholesterol-fed rabbits was related to lipid plaques in the aorta.

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Abstract. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is an important early event in atherogenesis. To evaluate the effects of different levels of cholesterol‐containing diets on vascular function and atherogenesis, 17 New Zealand White male rabbits were randomized into four groups: Control with noncholesterol, 10‐week 0.5% (0.5C‐10) or 1% cholesterol (1C‐10), and 14‐week 0.5% cholesterol (0.5C‐14) feedings. After 10 or 14 weeks, the aortas were harvested for studies of vascular endothelial function and percentage surface lipid lesions. The 0.5% and 1% cholesterol feedings resulted in the same degree of hypercholesterolemia independent of the level and period of cholesterol feeding. There was a decreased trend in vascular endothelial‐dependent relaxation to acetylcholine in cholesterol‐fed rabbits. Fourteen‐week cholesterol feeding induced the least vascular dilation at a concentration of 10−7M acetylcholine (–38 ± 3%, –23 ± 4%, –23 ± 2%, and –15 ± 5% in control, 0.5C‐10, 1C‐10, and 0.5C‐14 groups, respectively, P = 0.003). More cumulative exposure of arterial walls to cholesterol induced more surface lipid lesions in the aorta (r = 0.877, P < 0.001). There was a negative relationship between aortic lesions and vasodilation (r = –0.557, P = 0.020 for calcium ionophore; r = –0.463, P = 0.062 for acetylcholine). We conclude that the 0.5% and 1% cholesterol feedings induce similar degrees of hypercholesterolemia. However, aortic lipid lesions and vascular reactivity are dependent on cumulative exposure to cholesterol rather than serum cholesterol level only. Furthermore, decreased vascular endothelial relaxation in cholesterol‐fed rabbits was related to lipid plaques in the aorta.

Branched chain amino acid (BCAA) requirements and their interactions were studied in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Optimal, deficiency and toxic levels affecting nematode population growth were determined for each of the three BCAAs. The optimal range for leucine was 0.72-2.8; for isoleucine, 0.86-1.7; and for valine, 0.51-4.1 mg ml-1. Leucine at high concentrations was toxic. When isoleucine and valine were both added at high concentrations, they also exerted a marked toxic effect. The interactions of the branched chain amino acids found among vertebrate animals were not observed in C. elegans. Les besoins relatifs aux amino-acides en chaîne ramifiée et leurs interactions chez le nématode Caenorhabditis elegans - Les besoins relatifs aux amino-acides en chaîne ramifiée (BCAA) et leurs interactions ont été étudiés chez le nématode Caenorhabditis elegans. Les niveaux optimal, de déficience et toxique affectant la croissance de la population du nématode ont été déterminés pour chacune des BCAA. L'optimum est, pour la leucine de 0,72 à 2,8, pour l'isoleucine de 0,86 à 1,7 et pour la valine de 0,51 à 4,1 mg ml-1. A forte concentration la leucine est toxique. Si l'isoleucine et la valine sont ajoutées à forte concentration elles exercent également une action toxique prononcée. Les interactions entre BCAA observées chez les vertébrés ne l'ont pas été chez les C. elegans.