Influence of linseed oil on cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits.

Four groups of rabbits were studied to determine the effect of linseed oil on cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis. Group C received cholesterol alone; group CL received cholesterol and linseed oil, group L were given linseed oil alone, while group N were fed the normal stock diet for 18 weeks. Cholesterolemia was marked in groups C and CL but not in groups L or N. Cholesterolemia was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) in group CL (462 mg/dl) than in group C (318.6 mg/dl). Thus, the addition of linseed oil to cholesterol led to greater hypercholesterolemia than with the cholesterol diet alone. There was no significant change in the serum triglyceride level in either group. Atherosclerotic lesions (mostly fatty streaks but some fibrous plaques) were present only in groups C and CL and were absent in groups L and N. The percentage of atherosclerotic intimal involvement was significantly greater in group CL than C (P less than 0.001). The severity of atherosclerosis correlated with serum cholesterol levels (r = 0.79, P less than 0.001), but not with serum triglyceride levels.