Observations of Serum lipid and Histopathological Status in ApoE Gene Knockout Mice

Objective Serum lipid and histopathological status were observed in apoE gene knockout mice of different genders and ages.Methods C57BL/6J-ApoE mice of two months and six months old were selected for content determination of serum TG,TC,HDL,LDL and ApoB protein,using C57BL/6J mice as controls.Mice hearts were subjected to rapid freezing and frozen sections were made.Slides were dyed with oil red OO to examine the formation of atherosclerosis spots.Results Serum TC and LDL contents in C57BL/6J-ApoE mice were much higher than those of C57BL/6J mice of the same gender and age,while the HDL content showed a reverse tendency.Significant difference was revealed in serum lipid fluctuation in C57BL/6J-ApoE mice of different genders and ages.ApoB level in C57BL/6JApoE mice was remarkably higher than that in C57BL/6J mice of the same age and gender and was increasing evidently with the increase of age.Lipid plagues could be detected in the aorta traverse section of six-month-old ApoE mice.Conclusions The ApoE mice model shows a significant increase in the level of serum TC and LDL and a decrease in the level of HDL compared with C57BL/6J mice.Serum lipid fluctuation is age and gender related.Lipid plagues have already formed as early as six months old.This established mouse mode may be of good use in cardiovascular diseases research.