Effect of Pravastatin, a HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitor, on Blood Lipids and Aortic Lipidosis in Cholesterol-Fed White Carneau Pigeons.

The effect of pravastatin, an inhibitor of HMG CoA reductase, on blood lipids and aortic lipidosis was studied in young cholesterol-fed White Carneau pigeons. The birds were fed with normal ('N group', n = 20) or atherogenic diet (grains + 0.4% cholesterol + 4% lard) alone ('C group', n = 20) and in association with pravastatin ('P group', n = 20). Plasma lipids and aortic intima lipidosis were studied after 3-5 and 8-12 months of the diet. Compared to the N group, pigeons from C group exhibited hypercholesterolemia (TC = 1000 mg/dl) and hyperlipoproteinemia of which level was independent of the duration of the diet. Total VLDL (VLDL+LDL)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein-B levels rose significantly 15, 8 and 4 times, respectively, whereas HDL were increased two times (P < 0.01) in females only. Macroscopically visible intima lipidosis areas covered 40% and 80% of aortic surface after 3-5 and 8-12 months of the diet. In P group, the increase in plasma lipid values was significantly lower than in WC from C group: -40% for total cholesterol (600 mg/dl) (P < 0.01), -71% for VLDL (P < 0.001), -53% for (VLDL+LDL)-cholesterol (P < 0.01) and -54% for apo-B (P < 0.05). HDL remained as high as in C group. Consequently TC/HDL-C ratio was improved and atherogenic risk of cholesterol was reduced by 41% (P < 0.05). Intima lipidosis areas were lowered by 35% (P < 0.01). We conclude that pravastatin treatment involves (1) a decrease in hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipoproteinemia and (2) a lowering in extensiveness and severity of macroscopically visible aortic lipidosis in cholesterol-fed White Carneau pigeon.