Summary
Blood coagulation in a strain of rabbits designated as Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic
(WHHL) rabbits was examined. The activities of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors,
contact factors and clotting factor VIII (F VIII) and the fibrinogen level were significantly
higher in WHHL rabbits than in normolipidemic rabbits (all age groups). Values for
vitamin Independent clotting factor were already higher at 2 months of age. Contact
factors and fibrinogen levels increased age after 5 to 8 months. F VIII increased
between 5 and 8 months and then decreased. At 2 months of age, WHHL rabbits were divided
into two groups. Group A was fed standard rabbit chow and group B standard rabbit
chow containing 1% probucol. Probucol prevented the progression of atherosclerosis
in group B in the absence of a significant reduction in plasma cholesterol level.
F VIII and fibrinogen levels were statistically decreased in all rabbits at all ages
in group B (P<0.05). These differences in clotting factors between the two groups
were most obvious at 8 months (P<0.02).
We conclude that vitamin K-dependent clotting factors may increase with hyperlipemia
and that increases in F VIII and fibrinogen may be closely related to the progression
of throm- boatherosclerosis.
Key words
Factor VIII - Fibrinogen - Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit - Hypercholesterolemia
- Atherosclerosis - Probucol