Phenotypic and Genetic Evidence for a More Prominent Role of Blood Glucose than Cholesterol in Atherosclerosis of Hyperlipidemic Mice.

Hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are major risk factors for atherosclerosis. -deficient () mice on certain genetic backgrounds develop hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and T2D when fed a Western diet. Here, we sought to dissect phenotypic and genetic relationships of blood lipids and glucose with atherosclerotic plaque formation when the vasculature is exposed to high levels of cholesterol and glucose.

Identification of Mep1a as a susceptibility gene for atherosclerosis in mice.

Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of heart attack, ischemic stroke and peripheral arterial disease, and genetic factors involved remain mostly unidentified. We previously identified a significant locus on mouse chromosome 17 for atherosclerosis, Ath49, in an intercross between BALB/c and SM strains. Ath49 partially overlaps in the confidence interval with Ath22 mapped in an AKR × DBA/2 intercross.