Effect of skim milk on progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Effect of skim milk on progression of atherosclerosis was studied in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Rabbits were given a high cholesterol food (0.5%) with skim milk powder (16%) or no milk (control group). At 12 wk, the plasma cholesterol level was significantly higher in the control group (1605 mg/d1) than in the milk-fed group (1146 mg/d1). The contents of esterified cholesterol and elastin in the aorta were higher in the control group than in the milk-fed group by 28 an 94 per cent, respectively. The differences between the two groups in the contents of aortic triacylglycerols, mucopolysaccharides, collagen and unesterified cholesterol were not significant. The difference in sudanophilic area in the aorta between the control (35%) and the milk-fed groups (31%) was not significant. However, intimal proliferation and medial involvement in the aortic lesions were more severe in the control group. These findings suggest that skim milk can slow down the process of cholesterol induced atherogenesis.