Abstract: Objective To establish two models for atherosclerosis(AS)and compare their establishment methods. Methods Eighteen SD rats with SPF grade were randomly divided into normal group(SDN)and model group(SDM).Twelve C57BL/6J rats and 24 ApoE-/- rats were divided into C57BL/6J blank control group(CN), ApoE-/- blank control group(AN)and ApoE-/- model group(AM). The AS model was established by inducting high-fat feed. The basic conditions of each group were compared and the serum lipid, inflammatory factors and fatty acids contents were detected. Immunohistochemistry of the aortic sinus was performed. Oil red O staining and haematoxylin and eosin staining were performed on the whole aorta of the experimental mice. Results There were significant changes in body mass, food intake and water intake between the model(SDM,AM group)mice and the normal(SDN,CN,AN group)mice(P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05), while the levels of HDL-C were significantly decreased(P<0.05). CRP、MCP-1、IL-1β、IFN-γ、TXB2、DPP-4 levels were significantly increased(P<0.05 ), and PGF-1α and GLP-1 levels were significantly decreased(P<0.05). The contents of palmitoleic acid and linoleic acid decreased(P<0.05), while the contents of palmitoleic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid increased(P<0.05). In the model group, TNF-α was increased in the aortic sinus, while the expressions of StAR and PPAR-γ were negative. The atherosclerosis index(AI)of AM group mice was 1.67 times that of SDM group rats. The intima of SDM group was thickened and local uplifted, the elastic fibers of the medium membrane were disordered, and the external model showed mild inflammatory cell infiltration, presenting early AS pathological changes, while the AM group had a large amount of red plaque deposition. Conclusion The degree of AS lesions in ApoE-/- mice is more obvious than that in SD rats. Moreover, compared with SD rats, AS has less damage to the organs of ApoE-/- mice. Therefore, ApoE-/- mice are more suitable for the construction of AS model.

Key words: atherosclerosis, comparison of model preparation, lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry

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