OCCLUSIVE ATHEROSCLEROTIC DISEASE OF CORONARY ARTERIES IN MONKEY (MACACA IRUS) INDUCED BY DIET

The M. irus is a monkey species that is highly susceptible to experimental atheroslerosis induced by feeding a diet moderately high in cholesterol content. The dietary-induced atherosclerosis is associated with moderate serum cholesterol elevations without concomitant elevations of the serum triglycerides. All monkeys on the atherogenic diet that had serum cholesterol levels that rose above 350 mg/100 ml, developed severe atherosclerosis of the proximal segment of the coronary arteries with occlusions of the coronary arterial lumen of more than 50%. Two monkeys, which died suddenly on exertion after 12 months on the atherogenic diet, had coronary artery occlusions of more than 75%. One of these animals showed histological evidence suggestive of myocardial ischemia. After 12 months on the atherogenic diet, only the coronary arteries revealed gross atherosclerosis; after 18 months the aorta and other arteries also showed gross atherosclerotic lesions, but always to a lesser extent than the coronary arteries. The predict able early involvement of the coronary arteries with severe occlusive atherosclerotic disease, and the consistent predominance of coronary atherosclerotic lesions over lesions in other arteries are unusual features of this monkey species. The M. irus monkey lends itself well as an experimental model for the study of coronary atherosclerosis and its sequelae. © 1968.