EN
The influence of a balanced diet (21 g% protein, 34 g% fat, 45 g% carbohydrate) with an isocaloric addition of non-oxidised or oxidised rapeseed oil, with and without garlic, on the development of hypercholesterolaemia was examined in 18 adult male rabbits divided into 3 equal groups. The rabbits from group 1 were fed fresh rapeseed oil, group II - received oxidised rapeseed oil, and group III - was given oxidised rapeseed oil and garlic. The concentration of 7-ketocholesterol and malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma and free fatty acids (FAME) in blood serum was determined. The experiment lasted 24 weeks. At the beginning, and every six weeks, the rabbits were weighed and blood was taken. After the experiment was completed, the aorta was dissected for histological examinations. It was found that oxidised rapeseed oil caused an increase in the concentration of 7-ketocholesterol and FAME at the end of the experiment. MDA concentration increased in the 6th week of the experiment but did not appreciably change at the end of it. The obtained results suggested that the diet caused the development of hypercholesterolaemic alterations in the aorta wall and increased temporarily the level of 7-ketocholesterol, FAME, and MDA. Diet rich in oxidised oil modified significantly homeostasis of lipids in plasma and blood serum. The administration of garlic in such a diet inhibited atherosclerotic changes in the aorta wall and this seemed to be related to the decreasing concentration of 7-ketocholesterol and MDA in plasma and FAME in blood serum.