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Background: Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between enhanced endothelial permeability and initiation or progression of atherosclerosis has been indicated in previous studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of iron (Fe) and vitamin E on endothelial permeability of aorta and coronary arteries in rabbits on a high-cholesterol diet. Methods: Thirty male rabbits were randomly divided into five groups of 6, namely control, hypercholesterolemic (HC), HC + Fe (50 mg/kg), HC + vitamin E (50 mg/kg), and HC + Fe + vitamin E. After 4 weeks, blood samples were taken and endothelial permeability was measured by Evans blue dye method. Findings: Administration of Fe and/or vitamin E improved serum lipid profile (P < 0.05). Administration of Fe could not change aortic endothelial permeability in hypercholesterolemic animals (P > 0.05). However, vitamin E reduced aortic endothelial permeability (P < 0.05). Fe and vitamin E did not alter coronary artery permeability (P > 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that the effects of Fe on atherosclerosis are not through the alteration of vascular permeability. However, reduced endothelial permeability may be a mechanism for beneficial effects of vitamin E on cardiovascular system.

Background: Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between enhanced endothelial permeability and initiation or progression of atherosclerosis has been indicated in previous studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of iron (Fe) and vitamin E on endothelial permeability of aorta and coronary arteries in rabbits on a high-cholesterol diet. Methods: Thirty male rabbits were randomly divided into five groups of 6, namely control, hypercholesterolemic (HC), HC + Fe (50 mg/kg), HC + vitamin E (50 mg/kg), and HC + Fe + vitamin E. After 4 weeks, blood samples were taken and endothelial permeability was measured by Evans blue dye method. Findings: Administration of Fe and/or vitamin E improved serum lipid profile (P < 0.05). Administration of Fe could not change aortic endothelial permeability in hypercholesterolemic animals (P > 0.05). However, vitamin E reduced aortic endothelial permeability (P < 0.05). Fe and vitamin E did not alter coronary artery permeability (P > 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that the effects of Fe on atherosclerosis are not through the alteration of vascular permeability. However, reduced endothelial permeability may be a mechanism for beneficial effects of vitamin E on cardiovascular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]