Comparison between two methods for establishing rabbit atherosclerosis model

Objective To establish rabbit atherosclerosis model by simple high-fat diet and high-fat diet combined with immunological injury, and to compare the differences in modeling time and model stability between the two methods. Methods Eighteen New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. The control group (group C, n=6) was fed with common diet. The model group 1 (group M1, n=6) was fed with the high-fat diet, and the model group 2 (group M2, n=6) with high-fat diet combined with immunological injury (ovalbumin and fetal bovine serum albumin) ; thereby the rabbit atherosclerosis model was established. At 10 weeks after the feeding, the levels of serum triglyceride (TG) , total cholesterol (TC) , high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were examined. Oil red O and HE staining were used to determine the pathological changes of arteries and livers in each group. The percentage of arterial plaque area in the intima (PA/IA) was measured and compared between the groups. Results The serum levels of TG, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C and CRP significantly increased in the M1 and M2 groups (P<0.05) . The atherosclerotic plaques were found in groups M1 and M2 by naked eyes and light microscopy. The value of PA/IA in groups M1 and M2 was 51.6%±10.58% and 70.9%±15.75%, respectively, and the condition was more severe in group M2 (P<0.05) . Conclusion Both methods can be used to establish rabbit atherosclerosis model, whereas the high-fat diet combined with immunological injury favors the rapid establishment of rabbit atherosclerosis model in a short time. Key words: Atherosclerosis; Rabbit; Ovalbumin; Fetal bovine serum albumin