Effects of a High Cholesterol–Oil Diet for Rabbits on Concentrations of Heparin and Total Sulfated Mucopolysaccharide in Aorta and Other Tissues Measured by Microelectrophoresis

Rabbits were fed a high cholesterol–oil diet for 13 weeks. The amounts of total sulfated mucopolysaccharides and heparin in aorta, heart, skin, and small and large intestine were determined by microelectrophoresis. Aortic lipoprotein lipase activity, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides were also measured. The results showed that quantities of total sulfated mucopolysaccharides, heparin, and lipoprotein lipase activity increased markedly in aortas but were without change in other tissues in the rabbits on the experimental diet. There was a high correlation between lipoprotein lipase activity and concentrations of both heparin and total sulfated mucopolysaccharides in aorta, and also between concentrations of heparin and total sulfated mucopolysaccharides in aorta and serum levels of triglyceride and cholesterol.