Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia is one of the risk factors for atherosclerosis, and intimal proliferation after artery injury may lead to the formation of atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE: To research the feasibility of copying arteriosclerotic animal model induced by hyperhomocysteinemia with L-methionine to feed rabbits and balloon catheter to strain abdominal aorta into injury.
METHODS: Thirty-two healthy white rabbits were divided into four groups. Abdominal aortic balloon injury and (or) 2% L-methionine pellets were given to the groups respectively, the rabbits with normal feeding were as control. Blood was drawn for laboratory test at the beginning and end of the 2nd and 12th weeks respectively. The rabbits were executed and abdominal aortas were taken out to do pathology dyeing at the end of the 12th week.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Homocysteine levels of model group were significantly higher than that of control group at the end of the 2nd week (P < 0.05). Diffusive confluent atheromatous plaques formed along the abdominal aorta at 12 weeks after abdominal aortic balloon injury. And the rabbits that were given the abdominal aorta balloon injury and 2% L-methionine pellets had a larger plaque and more serious intimal injury. It indicates that the arteriosclerotic animal model induced by hyperhomocysteinemia can be established in a short time by 2% L-methionine feeding and balloon injury abdominal aorta.