Establishment of an animal model of carotid atherosclerotic stenosis by lesion with air-drying and high-fat feeding rabbits

Objective To establish the methods and factors affecting the development of an economical,practical,stable and reliable animal model suitable for experimental studies of surgical treatments of carotid atherosclerotic stenosis(CASS).To combine clinic,and to provide theoretical and experimental basis for clinical studying.Methods Using 40 Japanese White rabbits,lesions were created by air-drying isolated segments of carotid arteries(160ml/min×15min)and high-fat feeding rabbits with 2% cholesterol,6% peanut oil for different time(30days,60days,90days).Blood fat,DSA and HE was used to evaluate the stenosis of carotid arteries.Stained by HE then examined for pathological changes microscopically.Results The pathological studies suggested that the atherosclerotic lesions getting more and more severe as the feeding time went on.Lesion with air-drying and high-fat feeding rabbits for 90 days,the average rates of stenosis were calculated and described as following,30 days group is 26.59%±4.81%,60 days group is 49.12%±2.96%,90 days group is 71.53%±3.65%.The percentages of moderate to severe stenosis of the 3-month group is more than 80%.The pathological studies suggested that the atherosclerotic lesions getting more and more severe as the feeding time went on.Fed the atherogenic diet and lesions of air-drying for 30 days,mild intima proliferation,a little foam cells and a little lipid storage is seen,felling into the fatty streak period of atherosclerosis;fed for 60 days,severe intima proliferation,a lot of foam cells deposition,belonging to the fibrous plaque period;The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is atheromatous plaque period.Conclusions Injured and fed as described by the authors,the animal model of 90 days group is stable and reliable,and it meets the demand of experimental studies of surgical treatments of CASS.