The levels of plasma plasmalogen in retired female rats decrease by ovariectomy and intake of cholesterol-diet.

Plasmalogens are functional glycerophospholipids that play important biological roles in the human body and are associated with various diseases. In our previous study, plasma choline plasmalogen level was reported to be strongly associated with factors of atherosclerosis and decreases with age. In this study, we created an animal model of low plasma plasmalogen and clarified the effect of aging on plasma plasmalogen metabolism and other plasma lipids in ovariectomized rats. Consequently, in the ovariectomized model using retired rats (Retire + OVX rats), we found a reduction in the ratio of plasmalogen in total phospholipids and an increase in cholesterol in plasma. Furthermore, this was more pronounced with the intake of a high-cholesterol diet in the Retire + OVX rats and is similar to the changes in plasmalogen and cholesterol levels in human atherosclerosis. In summary, this suggests that the ovariectomy model using retired rats is a useful model for low plasma plasmalogen levels.