Abstract
Epidemiologic and clinical studies thus far suggest that elevated plasma cholesterol levels increase the risk of coronary heart disease (1). Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that lowered cholesterol plays a role in reducing acute coronary events (2). In the early 20th century, Anitschkow found that a cholesterol-enriched diet could induce atherosclerosis in rabbit arteries, and established a relationship between cholesterol consumption and severity of atheroma (3). Since then, hypercholesterolemic rabbits have been widely used for atherosclerosis research. Cholesterol-fed rabbits are the most commonly used model among three popular rabbit models of atherosclerosis. Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits with endogenous hypercholesterolemia—which causes spontaneous atherosclerosis—are also widely used. A casein-rich diet can induce endogenous hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in rabbits. This chapter provides profiles of each rabbit model of atherosclerosis and discusses the similarities, differences, and advantages among these models. Effects of lipid lowering on rabbit atherosclerosis are also discussed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
