title: Animal models to evaluate anti-atherosclerotic drugs.
abstract: Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial condition characterized by endothelial injury, fatty streak deposition, and stiffening of the blood vessels. The pathogenesis is complex and mediated by adhesion molecules, inflammatory cells, and smooth muscle cells. Statins have been the major drugs in treating hypercholesterolemia for the past two decades despite little efficacy. There is an urgent need for new drugs that can replace statins or combined with statins. The preclinical studies evaluating atherosclerosis require an ideal animal model which resembles the disease condition, but there is no single animal model which mimics the disease. The animal models used are rabbits, rats, mice, hamsters, mini pigs, etc. Each animal model has its own advantages and disadvantages. The method of induction of atherosclerosis includes diet, chemical induction, mechanically induced injuries, and genetically manipulated animal models. This review mainly focuses on the various animal models, method of induction, the advantages, disadvantages, and the current perspectives with regard to preclinical studies on atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, JIPMER, Puducherry 605006, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Raman P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Priyadharsini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
keywords: animal model; apo E mice; atherosclerosis