Volume 61 (2011) Issue: 2011 No#5-6

Iron as an agent of oxidative injury in experimental atherosclerosis

Author(s): Vučević Danijela, Radosavljević Tatjana, Mladenović D, Čolić Jelena, Milovanović I, Pešić BČ, Ješić-Vukićević Rada

Keywords:iron, experimental atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemic diet, rabbits

Having in mind the importance of iron as a catalyst in some oxidative reactions, we examined the iron content in the serum and thoracic aorta tissue of rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis induced by hypercholesterolemic diet (4% solution of crystalline cholesterol in edible oil). For this study three groups of rabbits were used: C - control group fed a standard diet for this species (n=10), O - control group fed on an oil-containing diet (n=10) and Ch - experimental group fed on a hypercholesterolemic diet (n=10). Experimental atherosclerosis was pathohistologically confirmed. Iron content was quantified by atomic absorptive spectrophotometry. After two-months of treatment a highly significant increase of iron content was registred in the serum and thoracic aorta tissue in Group Ch (p<0.01) compared to the control group. In comparison with Group C iron content in the thoracic aorta tissue was significantly (p<0.01) decreased in Group O. A significant increase of iron content was registered in the thoracic aorta tissue iin Group Ch (p<0.01) compared to Group O. Our findings indicate a possible role of iron in the pathogenesis of experimental atherosclerosis.