Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice
06:59

Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice

Published on: June 12, 2019

Experimental hypercholesterolemia differentially affects adventitial vasa vasorum and vessel structure of the left

Offer Galili1, Katherine J Sattler, Joerg Herrmann

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|April 12, 2005
PubMed

Insights

The left internal thoracic artery has lower vasa vasorum density than coronary arteries, explaining its lower atherosclerosis incidence. High-cholesterol diets increase vasa vasorum density in both vessels, particularly the left internal thoracic artery.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Vascular Anatomy
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis affects all vascular beds, but incidence varies.
  • The role of vasa vasorum in atherosclerosis is increasingly recognized.
  • Differences in vasa vasorum structure may explain varying atherosclerosis susceptibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the adventitial vasa vasorum structure between the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) and coronary arteries (CA).
  • To investigate the impact of diet on vasa vasorum in LITA and CA.

Main Methods:

  • Vessel samples from pigs on normal or high-cholesterol diets were analyzed using micro-computed tomography.
  • Key parameters measured included lumen area, vessel wall area, vasa vasorum count, density, and diameter ratios.

Main Results:

  • Coronary arteries exhibited higher vasa vasorum density than LITA in both diet groups.
  • High-cholesterol diet significantly increased vasa vasorum density in both vessels, more so in LITA.
  • Lumen area and second-order/first-order vasa vasorum ratio increased in LITA on a high-cholesterol diet.

Conclusions:

  • Lower vasa vasorum spatial density in LITA compared to CA is a structural basis for LITA's reduced atherosclerosis incidence.
  • Diet-induced changes in vasa vasorum structure may influence atherosclerosis development in different arterial beds.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Inducing Myointimal Hyperplasia Versus Atherosclerosis in Mice: An Introduction of Two Valid Models08:34

Inducing Myointimal Hyperplasia Versus Atherosclerosis in Mice: An Introduction of Two Valid Models

Published on: May 14, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations01:30

Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a primary health risk worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The condition arises from the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, resulting in diminished blood supply to the heart muscle.The clinical manifestations of CAD vary widely, from asymptomatic stages to severe, life-threatening conditions. Understanding these manifestations is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.Angina Pectoris: The Warning...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation01:29

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation

Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...