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The activity of cathepsins A, B, C, D, phospholipases A1 and A2, and aryl sulphatases A and B was studied in hepatic lysosomas, adipocytes of epididymal fatty tissue and in platelets of rats aged 2,5 and 24 months differing in the character of milk feeding. It was found that excessive feeding in the neonatal period resulted in a decrease of the lysosomal proteinase activity by 18-33% in 24-month animals, while phospholipase A2 activity rose 1,4-2.2-fold. Phospholipase A2 activity proved to be also increased in adipocytes of obese rats. Obese rats' platelets were characterized by a drastic (2-3.5-fold) activation of cathepsin C, and phospholipase A1 activity rose by 55% at all the stages of the ontogenesis. It is suggested that the changes in the lysosomal hydrolases activity may reflect the platelet function in the disordered lipoprotein metabolism.

Group 1 rabbits received cholesterol (CS) in a dose of 0.5 g/kg/day, per os, during 4, 8 and 12 weeks that resulted in a significant increase of the total CS level in the blood serum of the total lipids (TL), phospholipids and beta-lipoproteins (3-10 times). Combined administration of CS and 40% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 0.6 ml/kg, to group 2 rabbits led to a decrease in the values studied by 20-70%. By the end of the experiment the content of CS and TL in the liver of group 2 rabbits comprised 65-71% of that recorded in group 1 animals. It was also shown that the degree of sclerotic degeneration of the thoracic aorta in group 2 was lower by 55% as compared to group 1 animals. The data obtained have evidenced the hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effect of EPA.