[Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic rabbits with or without carbon monoxide...

Low-density lipoproteins isolated by a selective precipitation procedure have been investigated in cholesterol-fed rabbits exposed or not to carbon monoxide. The main findings are a higher increase of their cholesterol content and cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratio without a modification in lecithin-cholesterol-acyltransferase activity in intoxicated animals. Thus, the aggravating effect of carbon monoxide exposure on the atherogenic properties of these lipoproteins could accelerate the development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.