A LONG TERM STUDY OF THE VARIATION OF SERUM CHOLESTEROL IN MAN 1

Abstract

The serum cholesterol of 9 patients was studied for 12 to 14 mos., and in 1 case for 7 mos. The serum cholesterol of an individual tends to remain remarkably constant throughout the day, regardless of the feeding of a breakfast rich in cholesterol. This same constancy for the individual is evident from wk. to wk. and mo. to mo. KI given in doses of 2 gms. per day for 4 to 6 wks. has no effect on the serum cholesterol level of the individual. Thyroid adm. produced a sharp drop in serum cholesterol in every case. This was accompanied by a rise in the basal metabolic rate. A diet high in fat caused a slight rise of dubious significance in the serum cholesterol of 4 of 9 patients. This increase was not augmented by the addition of cholesterol to the diet in 3 cases. A diet low in fat failed to influence the level of the serum cholesterol.