Time course of diet-exacerbated carotid artery atherogenesis in the White Carneau pigeon

The carotid arteries of White Carneau pigeons fed an atherogenic diet developed fatty streaks, proliferative and atheromatous lesions. The carotid bifurcation had accelerated lesion development when compared to either the proximal internal carotid or the dorsal carotid artery. After 4 weeks of being fed an atherogenic diet, the bifurcation region of all birds showed some lesion involvement. Lesions at the bifurcation initially involved the medial and lateral walls; flow dividers became involved slightly later, with the anterior flow divider consistently developing thicker lesions than the posterior flow divider. Lesions progressed in terms of length of circumference, mean thickness, cross-sectional area, and percent lumen stenosis as the time fed the atherogenic diet increased.20