Identification of novel serum markers for the progression of coronary atherosclerosis in WHHLMI rabbits, an animal model of familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background And Aims: The development of serum markers specific for coronary lesions is important to prevent coronary events. However, analyses of serum markers in humans are affected by environmental factors and non-target diseases. Using an appropriate model animal can reduce these effects.

Distribution of atherosclerotic lesions in various arteries of WHHLMI rabbits, an animal model of familial hypercholesterolemia.

In WHHLMI rabbits, arterial lesions develop spontaneously in various arteries even with standard chow. Here, we examined the development of arterial lesions in various arteries to demonstrate standard characteristics of arterial lesions in WHHLMI rabbits. For WHHLMI rabbits at 6, 12, 20, and 30 months of age, lesion areas and areas of arterial lumen surfaces were measured using image analysis software.

Species differences in lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities: comparative studies of animal models of lifestyle-related diseases.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL) have an important role in lifestyle-related diseases. To evaluate species differences, we compared LPL and HTGL activities in different animal models of lifestyle-related diseases using the same assay kit. Normal animals (JW rabbits, ICR mice, and SD rats), a hypercholesterolemic animal model (WHHLMI rabbits), and obese animal models (KK-A mice and Zucker fatty rats) fed standard chow were used in this study.