Minireviews
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. May 16, 2014; 2(5): 126-132
Published online May 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i5.126
Animal models of atherosclerosis
Fatemeh Ramezani Kapourchali, Gangadaran Surendiran, Li Chen, Elisabeth Uitz, Babak Bahadori, Mohammed H Moghadasian
Fatemeh Ramezani Kapourchali, Mohammed H Moghadasian, International Nutrition Research Inc., Winnipeg, MB R3T2G4, Canada
Gangadaran Surendiran, Mohammed H Moghadasian, Department of Human Nutritional Sciences and Canadian Centre for Agri-food Research in Health and Medicine, St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre and University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
Li Chen, College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, China
Li Chen, Canadian Centre for Agri-food Research in Health and Medicine, St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
Elisabeth Uitz, Babak Bahadori, Karl Landsteiner Private University of Health and Life Sciences, State Clinic St. Poelten, Department of Internal Medicine 2, 3100, St. Poelten, Austria
Author contributions: Kapourchali FR, Surendiran G, Chen L and Uitz E collection of data and preparation of the manuscript; Bahadori B and Moghadasian MH supervised the preparation of manuscript.
Correspondence to: Mohammed H Moghadasian, Professor, Department of Human Nutritional Sciences and Canadian Centre for Agri-food Research in Health and Medicine, St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre and University of Manitoba, 351 Tache Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2A6, Canada. mmoghadasian@sbrc.ca
Telephone: +1-204-2353934 Fax: +1-204-2374018
Received: December 21, 2013
Revised: March 15, 2014
Accepted: April 17, 2014
Published online: May 16, 2014
Processing time: 146 Days and 6.5 Hours
Abstract

In this mini-review several commonly used animal models of atherosclerosis have been discussed. Among them, emphasis has been made on mice, rabbits, pigs and non-human primates. Although these animal models have played a significant role in our understanding of induction of atherosclerotic lesions, we still lack a reliable animal model for regression of the disease. Researchers have reported several genetically modified and transgenic animal models that replicate human atherosclerosis, however each of current animal models have some limitations. Among these animal models, the apolipoprotein (apo) E-knockout (KO) mice have been used extensively because they develop spontaneous atherosclerosis. Furthermore, atherosclerotic lesions developed in this model depending on experimental design may resemble humans’ stable and unstable atherosclerotic lesions. This mouse model of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis has been also used to investigate the impact of oxidative stress and inflammation on atherogenesis. Low density lipoprotein (LDL)-r-KO mice are a model of human familial hypercholesterolemia. However, unlike apo E-KO mice, the LDL-r-KO mice do not develop spontaneous atherosclerosis. Both apo E-KO and LDL-r-KO mice have been employed to generate other relevant mouse models of cardiovascular disease through breeding strategies. In addition to mice, rabbits have been used extensively particularly to understand the mechanisms of cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis. The present review paper details the characteristics of animal models that are used in atherosclerosis research.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Dyslipidemia; Disease; Animal models

Core tip: This mini-review provides the essential information obtained from a number of animal models in the field of cardiovascular research. Such information can help researchers design their studies for understanding the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.