Calcium, Phosphorus and Aluminium Concentrations in the Central Nervous System, Liver and Kidney of Rabbits with Experimental Atherosclerosis: Preventive Effects of Vinpocetine on the Deposition of These Elements

Abstract

Calcium, phosphorus and aluminium concentrations in the central nervous system, liver and kidneys were determined in 16 rabbits with atherosclerosis experimentally induced by a cholesterol-rich diet and the protective effect of 3 or 10 mg/kgday vinpocetine (14-ethoxycarbonyl-(3α,16α-ethyl)-14,15-eburnamenine) given orally on the deposition of these elements was assessed. Rabbits fed a cholesterol-rich diet developed atherosclerosis after 3 months and these rabbits possessed high concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and aluminium in the central nervous system, determined by neutron activation analysis. In atherosclerotic rabbits fed a vinpocetine supplement, there was a decrease in concentrations of these elements in tissues. It is suggested that calcium, phosphorus and aluminium may be implicated in the aetiology of atherosclerosis and that vinpocetine may have a preventive action on the deposition of these elements in central nervous tissue, liver and kidney.