[Characteristics of the rat heart in experimental atheroclerosis]

The morphological picture of the myocardium of white rats after administration of cholesterol, cholic acid, and vitamin D2 was studied. After four weeks of atherogenic diet the hearts of rats showed severe lesions of intramural vessels in addition to disseminated necroses, granulomatous cell reaction of the stroma which was sometimes of the giant cell nature, and connective tissue proliferation. Non-uniform hypertrophy of the endothelium, edema and defibrilation of the media, proliferation of young connective tissue cells, outgrowth of reticular and collagen fibers, and deposition of calcium salts in the entire thickness of the vessel wall were observed, as well as destruction of the inner elastic membrane and its substitution with newly formed fibers and membranes. These changes may be associated with the toxic effect and sensitizing properties of vitamin D2 which was a component of the atherogenic diet used.