Effect of High Molecular Weight Dextran on Experimental Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Thirty ml of 6% dextran (mol wt 70,000) was given intravenously daily to rabbits that were hypercholesterolemic from the ingestion of a 0.5%-cholesterol diet. Serum cholesterol concentrations were reduced from 990 ± 103 mg/100 ml to 676±79 mg/100 ml after 3 days and to 331±35 mg/100 ml after 7 days of dextran treatment. With the cessation of dextran infusions, serum cholesterol levels rose promptly above the pretreatment levels reaching 1346±156 mg/100 ml by the seventh day after treatment. Similar changes occurred in serum phospholipid and triglyceride values. The chief reason for the reduction of serum lipids was the expansion of plasma volume as a result of the dextran treatment. Other factors had a less significant role. Dextran did not change the cholesterol content of most tissues including aortic cholesterol. Liver cholesterol content actually increased. The effects of dextran were only temporary and were not accompanied by cholesterol mobilization from the tissues.