Influence of high levels of dietary fats and cholesterol on atherosclerosis and lipid distribution in swine.

The degree of incorporation of injected l-C-acetate into tissue cholesterol on cholesterol free diets was much higher in the liver and plasma of swine ingesting saturated than unsaturated fat. The levels of cholesterol in all tissues increased with the presence of fat or cholesterol in the diet. In most cases, especially in the presence of cholesterol, cholesterol levels were highest in the presence of unsaturated fat. The combination of unsaturated fat with cholesterol in the diet produced the greatest degree of typical atheromatosis and the highest levels of cholesterol in the tissues, while saturated fat with cholesterol produced diffuse atypical lesions.