High dietary methionine plus cholesterol exacerbates atherosclerosis formation in the left main coronary artery of rabbits

Abstract

Although mild hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality, there is no evidence to suggest that mild hyperhomocysteinemia stimulates coronary artery atherosclerosis formation. Objective: To compare the development of coronary artery atherosclerosis in rabbits following the induction of hyperhomocysteinemia and hypercholesterolemia through diet, and whether the combination of these risk factors exacerbated atherosclerosis formation. Methods: New Zealand White rabbits were fed for 12 weeks either a control diet, a 1% methionine diet (Meth), a 0.5% cholesterol diet (Chol) or the combination of the two diets (MethChol). Using volumetric stereological techniques,..