Microminipig, a Non-rodent Experimental Animal Optimized for Life Science Research: Novel Atherosclerosis Model Induced by High Fat and Cholesterol Diet

• Main Authors: Hiroaki Kawaguchi (Author), Noriaki Miyoshi (Author), Naoki Miura (Author), Makoto Fujiki (Author), Masahisa Horiuchi (Author), Yasukatsu Izumi (Author), Hiroaki Miyajima (Author), Ryoichi Nagata (Author), Kazuhiro Misumi (Author), Toru Takeuchi (Author), Akihide Tanimoto (Author), Hiroki Yoshida (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

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. Keywords:: atherosclerosis, cholesterol, diet, life-style, Microminipig

Item Description

1347-8613
10.1254/jphs.10R17FM