Vitamin C reduces cholesterol-induced microcirculatory changes in rabbits

Abstract The microcirculation was studied for 10 weeks in untreated rabbits (n=12) and in rabbits treated with vitamin C in their drinking water (0.5 g/d; n=6), a 1% cholesterol diet (n=12), or a combination of the two treatments (n=11). The studies were performed by direct intravital microscopic imaging of the conjunctiva of both eyes to evaluate blood flow velocity, microvessel diameter, and microhemorheologic conditions. As we reported previously, changes occurred in all of the aforementioned variables as a consequence of cholesterol feeding. After 3 and 6 weeks of feeding, there was a marked and significant ( P P