Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Vascular injury models of mice are hardly to have two pathological changes of calcification and injury, simultaneously and extensively, especially in the aorta with non-surgical treatments.
OBJECTIVE: To use large-dose vitamin D3 and animal oil to induce calcified vascular injury in mice.
METHODS: The model mice were fed with 3×10⁵ U/ (kg • d) vitamin D₃ for 4 days prior to 5 mL/(kg • d) animal oil feeding from day 5 to day 42.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The contents of serum lipids, calcium and phosphorus in the model group mice had no significant changes (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, the calcium and phosphorus contents in the abdominal aorta were significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed the pathological changes of the thoracic aorta, such as obvious calcification plaques, which appeared on the vessel walls and might rupture and result in defects, then the neointimal forming. Besides, eastic fibers presented with lower ductility and breakage. Apoptosis was induced greatly in media vascular smooth muscle cells, and fibrous plaques were locally present due to the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. The calcified vascular injury model in mice can be established by a combination of vitamin D3 and animal oil.