effect of ascorbic acid on blood serum lipids in male rabbits fed high-cholesterol diet

introduction atherosclerosis is a disease which begins during childhood. oxidation of lipoproteins is an important factor implicated in atherosclerosis. vitamin c decreases blood serum lipids and may inhibit atherosclerosis. this study was designed to observe the effect of ascorbic acid on blood serum lipids in male rabbits fed high-cholesterol diet. methods twenty white male rabbits were weighed (mean weight = 950 g) and blood serum samples were taken for analysis of serum cholesterol, ldl, hdl, tg, and vldl. they were randomly divided into two groups. for 40 days, group 1 (n=10) was given high-cholesterol (1%) diet, and group 2 (n=10) was fed high-cholesterol diet with ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg). both groups were then weighed and blood samples were taken for analysis of serum cholesterol, ldl, hdl, tg, and vldl. results significant differences in cholesterol, ldl, hdl, tg, and vldl were seen between the two groups (p<0.05). conclusions the significant difference observed between the two groups may have been related to the effect of ascorbic acid on lipid metabolism and prevention of oxidation of lipoproteins. these findings suggest that ascorbic acid may have beneficial effects in preventing hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. keywords ascorbic acid, aorta, coronary arteries, atherosclerosis, fatty streak.