Abstract
Limited evidence suggests that myocardial fibrosis might be associated with dietary
cardiovascular risk factors.
Objective
To investigate the effects of high dietary cholesterol, methionine (the precursor
to homocysteine), and the combination of the two diets on myocardial fibrosis.
Methods
Rabbits were randomly allocated into four dietary groups for 12 weeks: control (Con),
1% methionine (Meth), 0.5% cholesterol (Chol) or 1% methionine plus 0.5% cholesterol
(MethChol).
Results
Myocardial fibrosis was not significantly increased in Chol or Meth. However, interstitial
fibrosis increased by 85% (p = 0.03) and perivascular fibrosis 28-fold (p < 0.01) in the MethChol group compared to Con.
Conclusions
These results suggest that high levels of dietary cholesterol or methionine alone
do not significantly increase myocardial collagen content. However, the combination
of the two diets does cause myocardial fibrosis. Therefore, excessive cholesterol
and methionine intake may be an important pathogenic factor in the development of
myocardial fibrosis.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 29, 2005
Accepted:
June 21,
2005
Received in revised form:
June 7,
2005
Received:
April 18,
2005
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Published by Elsevier Inc.
