Serum lipid profile and iron content in serum and pulmonary tissue in experimental pulmonary emphysema

Disturbed lipid metabolism and some trace elements, including iron, may be involved in pathogenesis of experimental pulmonary emphysema via different mechanisms. We studied serum lipid profile and iron content in serum and pulmonary tissue of rabbits with experimental pulmonary emphysema. The study was done on three groups of animals: E (n=16) – experimental group on hypercholesterolemic diet (4% crystalline cholesterol in edible oil solution), C (n=16) – control group on standard diet for that animal species, and O (n=13) – group on oily diet. Serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, VLDL and LDL cholesterol fractions) was determined by enzymatic colorimetric method and iron content in serum and pulmonary tissue by atomic absorptive spectrophotometric method. Pulmonary emphysema was pathohistologicaly confirmed. There was a significant increase in total serum cholesterol (p