Influence of milk, yoghurt and calcium on cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits

Five groups of rabbits were studied to determine the effect of milk, yoghurt and calcium on cholesterol-induced hypercholesterolaemia and atherosclerosis. The experiment lasted for only 16 weeks. Yoghurt, calcium and milk reduced serum cholesterol levels in rabbits fed on the cholesterol diet. There was no significant difference in the cholesterol levels in the yoghurt and calcium groups. Yoghurt caused a greater extent of hypocholesterolaemia than milk (P less than 0.001). Aortic sudanophilia was maximal in the cholesterol-fed group, while there was no sudanophilia in the yoghurt-fed group. The milk and calcium groups showed an intermediate degree of sudanophilia. Aortic sudanophilia correlated with the serum cholesterol level (r = +0.65). It is suggested that calcium is an active factor in yoghurt, but that other hypocholesterolaemic agents may also be present.