Wall Shear Stress (WSS) Analysis in Atherosclerosis in Partial Ligated Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mouse Model through...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Pathology

Background:

• Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of death, involves arterial plaque formation and inflammation.
• Contributing factors include hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, smoking, and altered wall shear stress (WSS).
• Understanding atherosclerosis mechanisms is vital for prevention and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between wall shear stress (WSS) and atherosclerotic plaque development.
• To analyze the relationship between WSS variations, inflammatory factors, and plaque characteristics.
• To explore the role of WSS in the formation of vulnerable plaques.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-KO) mouse model fed a high-fat diet.
• Employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate blood flow and WSS.
• Reconstructed carotid artery blood flow using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Compared CFD analysis with inflammatory markers and pathological staining at 1, 2, and 4 weeks.

Main Results:

• The standard deviation of time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) was analyzed to compare high and low WSS regions.
• A widening gap between low and high WSS areas was observed as the atherosclerosis model progressed over time.
• A correlation was found between atherosclerotic plaque thickness, inflammatory factors, and WSS variations.

Conclusions:

• Differences in WSS are significantly linked to the occurrence and progression of atherosclerosis.
• The study provides a novel approach to analyzing WSS standard deviation for understanding plaque development.
• Findings suggest WSS variations contribute to the formation of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.