title: A rabbit model of spontaneous thrombosis induced by lipopolysaccharide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerotic plaque, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potentially important source of inflammation. The aim of this study was to develop a rabbit model of spontaneous thrombosis mimicking the pathophysiological and morphological characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rabbits were randomized into four groups: group A (n=10) received a normal diet; group B (n=10) received a regular diet and weekly LPS injections (1 μg/kg, Escherichia coli); group C (n=15) received a cholesterol-enriched diet before and after sustaining a balloon injury to the right common carotid artery; and group D (n=15) was treated the same as group C in addition to receiving LPS injections. The morphological characteristics of the resulting lesions were evaluated using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and histology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant atherosclerotic plaque was observed in groups A or B. Group D exhibited a higher incidence of spontaneous luminal thrombi than group C or B (60% vs. 20% vs. 10%, p<0.05). All of the thrombi detected with OCT were confirmed on histology. A good correlation between the fibrous cap thickness and thrombus arc was obtained on OCT and the histological evaluations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A rabbit model of LPS-induced spontaneous thrombosis was developed in which OCT was used to follow changes in plaque morphology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratories of Education Ministry for Myocardial Ischemia Mechanism and Treatment, Harbin Medical University.
authors.forename: Haixia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jingbo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Sining
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Xiumin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Haibo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Linxing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Linna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Zulong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D011817:Rabbits; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein