Anemia in rats on atherogenic diets

Rats were fed atherogenic diets containing cholesterol (5%), thiouracil (0.3%), and cholic acid (2%). One diet also contained 40% beef fat. Controls were fed chow with 10% peanut oil. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in rats fed atherogenic diets rose initially, then fell progressively. At 60 days the hemoglobin levels were 1.5 g/100 ml less and hematocrit levels 8% less than in controls. Added fat diets also induced diarrhea, dermatitis, and weight loss. Survival of Cr51-labeled red cells from rats on atherogenic diets was shortened whether the cells were injected into controls or into other rats on atherogenic diets. Red cells from controls survived normally in rats fed any of the diets. Despite normal pyridoxine intake, urinary xanthurenic acid excretion after a tryptophane load was elevated in rats fed either atherogenic diets or a normal control diet in restricted amounts. It is concluded that an intrinsic red cell abnormality develops in rats fed atherogenic diets. The abnormal tryptophane metabolism may be due to deficiencies related to underfeeding.