Atherosclerosis and glomerulosclerosis in WHHL rabbits and obese Zucker rats

The aorta and the kidney of 12 month old hyperlipidemic WHHL and obese Zucker rats, were examined morphologically. The WHHL developed severe and premature atherosclerosis but did not develop glomerulosclerosis. In contrast, the Zucker rats did not manifest atherosclerosis of the aorta, but developed glomerulosclerosis. These two animal models could be useful in understanding the roles of heterogeneous lipoprotein particles, genetic susceptibility, hemodynamic stress, and mesangial interactions with lipoproteins in the development of glomerulosclerosis.