Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Ferric Chloride-induced Thrombosis Mouse Model on Carotid Artery and Mesentery Vessel
Published on: June 29, 2015
A rabbit model of spontaneous thrombosis induced by lipopolysaccharide
Haixia Liu1, Jingbo Hou, Sining Hu
1Department of Cardiology, the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratories of Education Ministry for Myocardial Ischemia Mechanism and Treatment, Harbin Medical University.
Aim:
Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerotic plaque, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potentially important source of inflammation. The aim of this study was to develop a rabbit model of spontaneous thrombosis mimicking the pathophysiological and morphological characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque in humans.
Methods:
The rabbits were randomized into four groups: group A (n=10) received a normal diet; group B (n=10) received a regular diet and weekly LPS injections (1 μg/kg, Escherichia coli); group C (n=15) received a cholesterol-enriched diet before and after sustaining a balloon injury to the right common carotid artery; and group D (n=15) was treated the same as group C in addition to receiving LPS injections. The morphological characteristics of the resulting lesions were evaluated using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and histology.
Results:
No significant atherosclerotic plaque was observed in groups A or B. Group D exhibited a higher incidence of spontaneous luminal thrombi than group C or B (60% vs. 20% vs. 10%, p<0.05). All of the thrombi detected with OCT were confirmed on histology. A good correlation between the fibrous cap thickness and thrombus arc was obtained on OCT and the histological evaluations.
Conclusions:
A rabbit model of LPS-induced spontaneous thrombosis was developed in which OCT was used to follow changes in plaque morphology.
