Plasma viscosity and biochemical parameters in the "fatty" rat

The essential part played by rheological factors in the genesis of thrombosis and atherosclerosis has often been mentioned. Thus, we undertook an investigation on plasmatic rheological factors in an animal model with modifications in plasma lipids (homozygotic and heterozygotic "fatty" rats) compared to normal animals (Sprague-Dawley rats). Test parameters were: cholesterol, triglycerides, lipidograms, glucose, total proteins, fibrinogen, plasmatic viscosity. Experiments gave the following results in homozygotic animals as compared to heterozygotic rats and controls: hyperlipidemia with massive increase in triglycerides, hyperfibrinogenemia, increase in total proteins and glucose, modifications in lipidogram in the form of more lipoproteins migrating in the beta-position and fewer proteins migrating in the alpha-position. Such changes were accompanied by an increase in whole blood and plasma viscosity. After considering the various correlations between these parameters, the authors suggest the application of such an animal model to atherogenesis.