Key result
Feeding Microminipigs a high fat and cholesterol diet for 3 months successfully induced hypercholesterolemia and human-like atherosclerotic lesions in systemic arteries.
Why the study?
Does a high fat and cholesterol diet induce human-like atherosclerosis in Microminipigs?
Does a high fat and cholesterol diet induce human-like atherosclerosis in Microminipigs?
The Microminipig represents a highly suitable, non-rodent experimental animal model for studying diet-induced human-like atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases.
Supports Microminipig use in diet-induced atherosclerosis research; extends non-rodent models but leaves clinical translation open.
Atherosclerotic lesions were observed in male and ovariectomized female Microminipig (MMP) fed a high fat and cholesterol diet with sodium cholate (HFCD/SC) for 3 months. HFCD/SC induced hypercholesterolemia accompanied by an increase in serum total cholesterol (T-Cho), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and cholesterol ester (CE). Unlike the mouse or rabbit, a dominant LDL-C fraction in the intact MMP, similar to that in humans, was observed by serum lipoprotein analysis. HFCD/SC increased body weight gain. At the end of the experiment, computed tomography scans of conscious animals showed that HFCD/SC had decreased liver attenuation values (Hounsfield unit) and increased subcutaneous and abdominal fat, suggesting the induction of fatty liver and obesity. HFCD/SC induced atherosclerotic lesions in systemic arteries, including the external and internal iliac arteries, abdominal aorta, coronary artery, and cerebral arterial circle. Atherosclerosis and pathological findings induced by HFCD/SC in MMP were similar to those in humans. The MMP is a potentially suitable tool for investigating human atherosclerosis.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kawaguchi et al. (2011) conducted a review in Atherosclerosis. High fat and cholesterol diet with sodium cholate (HFCD/SC) vs. Normal diet was evaluated on Development of atherosclerotic lesions. Feeding Microminipigs a high fat and cholesterol diet for 3 months successfully induced hypercholesterolemia and human-like atherosclerotic lesions in systemic arteries.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: