Elasticity of ligated carotid arteries of rabbits with and without a cholesterol-rich diet

Abstract

Elasticity of carotid arterial segments of rabbits proximal and distal to an induced ligation was examined. In the presence of both ligation and hypercholesterolemia, longitudinal distensibility was decreased while circumferential distensibility increased. The decrease in longitudinal distensibility was attributed to a decrease in the slack of collagen while the increase in circumferential distensibility was attributed to an increase in the slack of collagen as well as a decrease in the elastances of elastin and collagen. Cholesterol alone was found not to affect the elasticity, while ligation acting alone slightly decreased the circumferential distensibility while leaving the longitudinal distensibility unchanged. High serum cholesterol was also found to accelerate intimal proliferation in regions near the ligature. Some intimal proliferation was seen near the ligature, but this could not be quantitated as the sections were too short for pressure fixation. If intimal proliferation is a precursor of atherosclerotic lesions, then formation of these lesions might be accelerated near occluded regions and maybe also in regions of disturbed blood flow when high serum cholesterol is present.