Microminipig, a non-rodent experimental animal optimized for life science research:novel atherosclerosis model induced by high fat and cholesterol diet

J Pharmacol Sci. 2011;115(2):115-21. doi: 10.1254/jphs.10r17fm. Epub 2011 Jan 18.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis* / blood
  • Atherosclerosis* / pathology
  • Breeding
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol, Dietary / administration & dosage
  • Diet, Atherogenic*
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Swine
  • Swine, Miniature*

Substances

  • Cholesterol, Dietary
  • Dietary Fats
  • Lipids
  • Cholesterol