[Effect of prostaglandin PGE1 on blood and tissue lipids in rabbit experimental arteriosclerosis]

Although the effects of prostaglandins (namely PGE) on lipolysis are well known, there are few data about their action on the various serum lipids (cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides). We have no information about the action of these products on experimental atherosclerosis and the arterial lipids. In the present work, we found in rabbits fed an hyperlipidemic diet, or receiving adrenalin injections, or a sequential atherogenic treatment for a long course, that the treatment by PGE1 induces a decrease of the serum lipids, mainly in animals fed an hyperlipidemic diet. In the same experiment, we found also a decrease of the cholesterol level in aorta and in the connective tissue of sub-cutaneous granulomas. The interest of these findings is discussed in the light of present known data about the effect of prostaglandins on lipid metabolism.