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Updated: May 7, 2026
Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice
Published on: June 12, 2019
The effects of fish oil consumption on cardiovascular remodeling in ApoE deficient mice
Kelby Cleverley1, Xiaozhou Du, Sheena Premecz
1a Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Abstract:
Owing to their spontaneous development of atherosclerosis, apolipoprotein E knockout mice (ApoE(KO)) are one of the best studied animal models for this disease. Little is known about the utility of various omega-3 fatty acid regimens, in particular fish oils, in preventing cardiac disease in ApoE(KO) mice. The purpose of this study was to determine the cardiovascular effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with either safflower oil (control), fish oil, flaxseed oil, or designed oil in ApoE(KO) mice fed a high-fat diet for a total of 16 weeks. In-vivo cardiac function was assessed weekly using murine echocardiography. Blood pressure, plasma lipid levels, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were serially measured. The results show that ApoE(KO) mice fed fish oil demonstrated an increase in left ventricular wall thickness as a result of increased afterload. Despite chronic treatment with fish oil over 16 weeks, blood pressure increased in ApoE(KO) mice by 20% compared with the baseline. Both echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy and biochemical increase in BNP levels confirmed diastolic dysfunction in ApoE(KO) mice fed fish oil. This suggests that high-fat diet supplemented with fish oil may lead to adverse cardiovascular effects in ApoE deficient mice.
Insights
Fish oil supplementation in apolipoprotein E knockout mice (ApoE(KO)) on a high-fat diet worsened cardiac function. This study indicates potential adverse cardiovascular effects of fish oil in this atherosclerosis model.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Nutritional Science
- Animal Models of Disease
Background:
- Apolipoprotein E knockout mice (ApoE(KO)) are a key model for studying atherosclerosis.
- The impact of omega-3 fatty acid regimens, like fish oil, on cardiac health in ApoE(KO) mice requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (fish oil, flaxseed oil, designed oil, safflower oil) in ApoE(KO) mice fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks.
Main Methods:
- Weekly murine echocardiography to assess in-vivo cardiac function.
- Serial measurements of blood pressure, plasma lipids, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).
Main Results:
- Fish oil supplementation led to increased left ventricular wall thickness and blood pressure (20% increase).
- Echocardiography and elevated BNP levels indicated diastolic dysfunction in fish oil-fed ApoE(KO) mice.
Conclusions:
- High-fat diet with fish oil may induce adverse cardiovascular effects in ApoE-deficient mice.
- Further research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms behind these detrimental effects.
