title: Physical activity and atherosclerosis: which animal model?
abstract: Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease that is the most important single contributor to human cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Epidemiologic studies show that physical activity, or routine exercise, reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms through which exercise may function in primary or secondary prevention of atherosclerosis remain largely to be established. Most studies in humans are performed after the onset of clinical signs when disease is well advanced and the prescription of exercise is based on empirical evidence of benefit in secondary prevention. Animal models per-mit the study of the initiation and progression of preclinical stages of atherosclerosis. In order to provide information relevant to treatment and prevention, these models should mimic human disease and interactions of physical activity with disease processes as closely as possible. The purpose of this review is to compare animal models of atherosclerosis and to summarize the available data in those models in regard to the effects of exercise.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Turk
authors.forename: M Harold
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Laughlin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D011323:Primates; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013552:Swine