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Updated: Dec 24, 2025
Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice
Published on: June 12, 2019
Microminipig, a Non-rodent Experimental Animal Optimized for Life Science Research: Novel Atherosclerosis Model
Hiroaki Kawaguchi1, Noriaki Miyoshi2, Naoki Miura3
1Department of Veterinary Experimental Animal Science, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
Abstract:
Atherosclerotic lesions were observed in male and ovariectomized female Microminipig (MMP) fed a high fat and cholesterol diet with sodium cholate (HFCD/SC) for 3 months. HFCD/SC induced hypercholesterolemia accompanied by an increase in serum total cholesterol (T-Cho), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and cholesterol ester (CE). Unlike the mouse or rabbit, a dominant LDL-C fraction in the intact MMP, similar to that in humans, was observed by serum lipoprotein analysis. HFCD/SC increased body weight gain. At the end of the experiment, computed tomography scans of conscious animals showed that HFCD/SC had decreased liver attenuation values (Hounsfield unit) and increased subcutaneous and abdominal fat, suggesting the induction of fatty liver and obesity. HFCD/SC induced atherosclerotic lesions in systemic arteries, including the external and internal iliac arteries, abdominal aorta, coronary artery, and cerebral arterial circle. Atherosclerosis and pathological findings induced by HFCD/SC in MMP were similar to those in humans. The MMP is a potentially suitable tool for investigating human atherosclerosis.
Insights
A high-fat diet induced atherosclerosis and obesity in Microminipigs (MMP), mirroring human disease progression. These findings suggest MMPs are a valuable model for studying human atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Animal Models
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of human mortality.
- Existing animal models do not fully replicate human disease characteristics.
- The Microminipig (MMP) offers potential as a novel model for human diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Microminipig (MMP) as an animal model for human atherosclerosis.
- To investigate the effects of a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet with sodium cholate (HFCD/SC) on MMPs.
- To compare induced atherosclerosis in MMPs to human pathological findings.
Main Methods:
- Male and ovariectomized female MMPs were fed a HFCD/SC diet for 3 months.
- Serum lipid profiles (T-Cho, LDL-C, HDL-C, CE) were analyzed.
- Computed tomography (CT) scans assessed liver attenuation and fat distribution.
- Atherosclerotic lesions in systemic arteries were examined pathologically.
Main Results:
- HFCD/SC induced hypercholesterolemia and increased body weight gain in MMPs.
- CT scans indicated fatty liver and obesity.
- Atherosclerotic lesions developed in major systemic arteries, including the aorta and coronary arteries.
- Lipoprotein analysis revealed a dominant LDL-C fraction, similar to humans.
Conclusions:
- The HFCD/SC diet effectively induced atherosclerosis and obesity in MMPs.
- Pathological findings in MMPs closely resemble human atherosclerosis.
- MMPs represent a promising preclinical model for human atherosclerosis research.
