Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The formation of atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E knockout mice is similar to that of human systemic atherosclerosis, and apolipoprotein E knockout mice are ideal animals for current establishment of atherosclerosis models.
OBJECTIVE: To research the pathological process of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice aged different weeks, and to explore the effect of different diets on the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice. 
METHODS: Male apolipoprotein E knockout mice aged 8 weeks old were randomly divided into two groups, and fed with high fat diet and normal diet, respectively, for 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Serological detection revealed that serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein levels were significantly higher in different weeks of mice of high fat diet group than in the normal diet group (P < 0.05), in a time-dependent manner. Gross and frozen oil red O staining showed that atherosclerotic plaque area of lumen was significantly larger in the high fat diet group than in the normal diet group (P < 0.05), in a time-dependent manner. At this time, significant differences in plaque area of lumen at each week were detected 
between both groups (P < 0.05). Apparent lipid plaque was visible in aorta at 16 weeks of high fat diet in mice. Results demonstrated that apolipoprotein E knockout mice of atherosclerosis were successfully established. The formation of lipid streaks and fiber hyperplasia was faster in high fat diet group than in the normal diet group.

Key words: Models, Animals, Atherosclerosis, Serum Lipid, Pathology