George F. Wilgram

Atherogenesis and thrombogenesis in the rat.

Summary and conclusions Three groups of rats were given diets containing cholesterol, sodium cholate and propylthiouracil. In addition the diets contained a fat that consisted of 40% butter in Group I, 40% corn oil in Group II and 8% corn oil in Group III. All groups showed atheromatous lesions and thrombus-like masses in cardiac chambers and in great vessels. Infarcts were present in a small number of animals in each group. Incidence and severity of atheromatous lesions varied but this variation was mainly related to length of survival on the diet rather than the type of added fat. There was no isolated development of thrombosis related to the type of fat in the diet as suggested by some investigators. Moreover, reservations were expressed regarding the exact nature of the thrombus-like masses and infarcts and their relevance to atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and infarction in man.