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Updated: Aug 6, 2025
Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice
Published on: June 12, 2019
Therapeutic effects of resveratrol and Omega-3 in mice atherosclerosis: focus on histopathological changes
Shamsi Sadat Mosavi1, Soghra Rabizadeh1, Amirhossein Yadegar1
1Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center (EMRC), Vali-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tohid Squre, P.O Box: 13145-784, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Resveratrol and omega-3 have been shown to prevent atherosclerosis. However, histopathological changes and their comparison have not been studied well. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of resveratrol and omega-3 in experimental atherosclerosis of mice.
Methods:
We divided sixty 6-week-old male C57BL/6 mice into six groups and followed for 10 weeks: (1) standard diet, (2) atherogenic diet, (3) atherogenic diet along with resveratrol from the start of the sixth week, (4) atherogenic diet along with omega-3 from the start of the sixth week, (5) standard diet along with resveratrol from the start of the sixth week, (6) standard diet along with omega-3 from the start of the sixth week.
Results:
The mice fed on an atherogenic diet had a larger fat area and a thicker aortic wall thickness than mice fed on a standard diet. The use of omega-3 and resveratrol in the mice with an atherogenic diet resulted in a significantly reduced fat area (p-value = 0.003), and resveratrol had a significantly higher effect. Omega-3 or resveratrol induced a significant reduction in aortic wall thickness in mice on an atherogenic diet, and there was no significant difference between them. Among the mice with a standard diet, this study did not observe any significant changes in the fat area or the aortic wall thickness with the consumption of omega-3 or resveratrol.
Conclusions:
Resveratrol and omega-3 had a regressive and therapeutic role in atherosclerosis, with a more significant effect in favor of resveratrol.
Insights
Resveratrol and omega-3 fatty acids show therapeutic potential in preventing atherosclerosis in mice. Resveratrol demonstrated a more significant effect in reducing atherosclerotic plaque size compared to omega-3.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Nutraceuticals and Dietetics
- Experimental Pathology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a significant cardiovascular disease.
- Resveratrol and omega-3 fatty acids are known for their preventive properties against atherosclerosis.
- Limited histopathological comparisons exist for these interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effects of resveratrol and omega-3 on experimental atherosclerosis in mice.
- To compare the histopathological changes induced by resveratrol and omega-3.
Main Methods:
- Sixty male C57BL/6 mice were divided into six groups for 10 weeks.
- Groups included standard diet, atherogenic diet, and atherogenic/standard diets supplemented with resveratrol or omega-3 from week 6.
- Histopathological analysis focused on aortic wall thickness and fat area.
Main Results:
- Atherogenic diet significantly increased aortic fat area and wall thickness compared to a standard diet.
- Both resveratrol and omega-3 significantly reduced fat area and aortic wall thickness in mice on an atherogenic diet.
- Resveratrol showed a more pronounced reduction in fat area (p=0.003) than omega-3.
Conclusions:
- Resveratrol and omega-3 exhibit a therapeutic and regressive role in experimental atherosclerosis.
- Resveratrol demonstrated a superior effect in mitigating atherosclerotic changes compared to omega-3.
