[The effect of butylhydroxyanisole, an antioxidant, on experimental atherosclerosis in Japanese quail]

The present paper aimed to examine a possible influence of the antioxidant butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) on the extent of atherosclerotic changes in coronary arterioles, in arcus aortae, and on the influencing of the extent of myocardial necroses. The model of atherosclerosis was worked out by administering 1% cholesterol diet to Japanese quails for the period of 40 days. The above-mentioned changes were examined on histological preparations and they were evaluated morphometrically. Quantification and morphometry of atherosclerotic changes in the individual experimental groups are shown in Table 1 and statistical evaluation of findings using the t-test in Tables 2, 3 and 4. The protective effect of butylhydroxyanisole was demonstrated to be statistically significant in the examination of the extent of atheromatous changes in arterioles. In arcus aortae, the findings were neither extensive, nor statistically significant. The findings concerning the extent of necroses in the myocardium provide documentary evidence for subendothelial micronecroses in the group with BHA in contrast to blended necroses in the group with Epavit + cholesterol. The model of cholesterol diet used in Japanese quails proved to be suitable to examine the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and its possible influencing by pharmaceuticals. The dose of butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), 20 mg.kg-1, was selected in the optimal manner with regard to possible inhibition of atherosclerotic changes.