Effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol in rabbits.

The effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on serum lipids was examined in rabbits. LPS was prepared from the smooth Salmonella typhimurium LT2 strain and given intravenously at a dose of 100 ng/kg b.wt. There were no significant changes in serum triglyceride or cholesterol levels in 1-3 days after the administration of LPS. There was, however, a decrease in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which was greatest after 2 days (P less than 0.001). Simultaneously, the HDL/total cholesterol ratio decreased (P less than 0.005).