Functional and structural changes in the small intestine in the course of experimental hypercholesterolemia

Combined treatment with niacin and chromium caused a protective effect on the small-intestine tissue of hyperlipidemic rats

“…Furthermore, the gastrointestinal tract is among the organ systems that are negatively affected by hyperlipidemia (Lebedev et al, 1983;Sipos et al, 2002). Hence, appropriate therapies for reducing lipid levels of the plasma are important protective treatments to prevent diseases connected with hyperlipidemia and to reduce the death risk for patients.…”

“…Cholesterol absorption, synthesis, esterification and exchange together with fatty acid absorption in the intestinal mucosa contribute significantly to subsequent metabolic processes in the liver and other organs as well as plasma (Lutton, 1996). Investigations indicate that experimental hyperlipidemia can modify the structure of the intestinal epithelium in addition to the composition of bile and bile acid pool via free-radical formation and can induce mucosal damage (Lebedev et al, 1983;Sipos et al, 2002). Our previous studies performed on hyperlipidemic rats documented that hyperlipidemia caused partial damage to the liver and renal tissues.…”