Microminipig, a Non-rodent Experimental Animal Optimized for Life Science Research: Novel Atherosclerosis Model Induced by High Fat and Cholesterol Diet

Hiroaki Kawaguchi; Noriaki Miyoshi; Naoki Miura; Makoto Fujiki; Masahisa Horiuchi; Yasukatsu Izumi; Hiroaki Miyajima; Ryoichi Nagata; Kazuhiro Misumi; Toru Takeuchi; Akihide Tanimoto; Hiroki Yoshida

doi:10.1254/jphs.10R17FM

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Microminipig, a Non-rodent Experimental Animal Optimized for Life Science Research:
Novel Atherosclerosis Model Induced by High Fat and Cholesterol Diet

Hiroaki Kawaguchi, Noriaki Miyoshi, Naoki Miura, Makoto Fujiki, Masahisa Horiuchi, Yasukatsu Izumi, Hiroaki Miyajima, Ryoichi Nagata, Kazuhiro Misumi, Toru Takeuchi, Akihide Tanimoto, Hiroki Yoshida

Author information

Hiroaki Kawaguchi
Department of Veterinary Experimental Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Japan
Noriaki Miyoshi
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Japan
Naoki Miura
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Japan
Makoto Fujiki
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Japan
Masahisa Horiuchi
Department of Environmental Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Japan
Yasukatsu Izumi
Department of Pharmacology, Osaka City University Medical School, Japan
Hiroaki Miyajima
Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd., Japan
Ryoichi Nagata
Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd., Japan
Kazuhiro Misumi
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Japan
Toru Takeuchi
Department of Environmental Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Japan
Akihide Tanimoto
Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Japan
Hiroki Yoshida
President, Kagoshima University, Japan

Keywords: atherosclerosis, cholesterol, diet, life-style, Microminipig

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2011 Volume 115 Issue 2 Pages 115-121

DOI https://doi.org/10.1254/jphs.10R17FM

View "Advance Publication" version (January 18, 2011).

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Abstract

Atherosclerotic lesions were observed in male and ovariectomized female Microminipig (MMP) fed a high fat and cholesterol diet with sodium cholate (HFCD/SC) for 3 months. HFCD/SC induced hypercholesterolemia accompanied by an increase in serum total cholesterol (T-Cho), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and cholesterol ester (CE). Unlike the mouse or rabbit, a dominant LDL-C fraction in the intact MMP, similar to that in humans, was observed by serum lipoprotein analysis. HFCD/SC increased body weight gain. At the end of the experiment, computed tomography scans of conscious animals showed that HFCD/SC had decreased liver attenuation values (Hounsfield unit) and increased subcutaneous and abdominal fat, suggesting the induction of fatty liver and obesity. HFCD/SC induced atherosclerotic lesions in systemic arteries, including the external and internal iliac arteries, abdominal aorta, coronary artery, and cerebral arterial circle. Atherosclerosis and pathological findings induced by HFCD/SC in MMP were similar to those in humans. The MMP is a potentially suitable tool for investigating human atherosclerosis.

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