Phagocytic system stimulation in experimental atherosclerosis of chicks

The effects of activation of the phagocytic system by BCG on the development of diet-induced atherosclerosis was studied in chicken. Injections of BCG had a marked effect on atherogenesis, which was either inhibitory or stimulatory, depending on the route of BCG administration and on the timing. A slight, but significant inhibition was obtained by intraperitoneal injection of BCG administered during the dietary treatment. A more pronounced and significant inhibition was observed in chicks given BCG subcutaneously 8 weeks before the start of the dietary regimen. The findings are consistent with a previously proposed notion that immunization at an early age may affect the course of later life atherosclerosis.