Atherosclerosis which results from gradual deposition of lipids in medium and large arteries is a leading cause of mortality
worldwide. This study was done to determine the effect of L- thyroxine with verapamil combination on the development of
atherosclerosis in thoracic aorta of hyperlipidemic induced rabbits. Twenty four healthy rabbits were randomly divided into three
equal groups: first group was given standard diet, second group fed with high cholesterol diet (%2 cholesterol) and third group was
given high cholesterol diet (2% cholesterol) and treated by L-thyroxine combined with verapamil for eight weeks. The lipid profile
and heart rate were measured for all groups. At the end of study, Histopathological examination of thoracic aorta was done in all
groups. The high cholesterol diet cause highly significant difference in total serum cholesterol (TC), LDL, VLDL, TG levels and body
weight in addition to atherosclerotic changes of thoracic aorta. The using of L-thyroxine combined with Verapamil induced highly
significant reduction in TC, LDL, VLDL, TG levels and body weight while histopathological examination showed decrease
atherosclerotic changes in thoracic aorta. This indicates that combination of L-thyroxin with verapamil can effectively prevent the
progress of atherosclerosis without the cardiac side effect of L-thyroxine (tackycardia). This is likely due to antihyperlipidemic, and
antioxidant effects of this combination.
Keywords: Atherosclerosis, L-thyroxine, verapamil, hyperlipidemia, lipid profile.
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30-06-2014
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