Isosorbide dinitrate "ISDN" is an organic
nitrate that generates nitric oxide "NO" that
helps in treatment of the vascular
disturbance which results from metabolic
hypercholesterolemia. Forty two adult male
albino rats weighting 170-190 g were divided
randomly into six groups, each of seven rats,
as follows: control group (standard diet),
coconut oil treated group (0.5 ml daily),
cholesterol treated group (400 mg/kg BW
dissolved in 0.5 ml coconut oil), ISDN treated
group (1.0 mg/kg BW dissolved in 0.5 ml
H2O), ISDN plus cholesterol treated group
(ISDN + cholesterol) for 3 weeks and
cholesterol followed with ISDN treated group
(cholesterol for 3 weeks then ISDN for 3
weeks) by oral administration. Serum nitric
oxide, antioxidant enzymes "superoxide
dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase
(GPx)" activities, lipid profile, glucose, uric
acid, total protein, albumin and globulin
percentage were determined. At the end of
the experimental period, coconut oil treated
group showed a significant increase in serum
of both high density lipoprotein "HDL" and
very low density lipoprotein "VLDL" and a
significant decrease in serum SOD activity as
compared to the control group. Cholesterol
treated group showed a significant increase
in total cholesterol "TC" and low density
lipoprotein "LDL-C" and a significant
decrease in NO level, SOD and GPx activity
as compared to the control one. ISDN
administration showed a significant increase
in the triglyceride "TG", VLDL, and NO
levels, but exhibited a significant decrease in
LDL, albumin and GPx activity compared to
control group. The ISDN plus cholesterol
group showed a significant increase in LDL-C
level and a significant decrease in albumin
and GPx activity compared to the control
one. The group treated with cholesterol
followed with ISDN showed significant
increase and decrease in HDL level and SOD
activity, respectively compared to the control
group. ISDN administration after cholesterol