This chapter on “Animal Models of Atherosclerosis” begins with the
description of Atherosclerosis and the use of animal models. When lipids and fibrous
tissue accumulate in the arterial wall, a condition known as atherosclerosis develops,
which in turn causes the narrowing of the arteries and an increased likelihood of
developing cardiovascular problems. Atherosclerosis animal models have been
extensively utilized to investigate the disease's pathophysiology and evaluate potential
treatments. This study's goal is to provide a brief overview of the analysis of the
advantages and disadvantages of the most popular animal models of atherosclerosis,
such as mice, rabbits, pigs, nonhuman primates, and dogs. Studies in animals
mimicking atherosclerosis often use either high-fat diets or genetic manipulation to
learn about the disease. A few of the characteristics of human disease, like lipid
accumulation, vascular inflammation, and arterial remodeling, have been successfully
reproduced in these models. However, the findings of animal research must be
interpreted with caution due to species variations in atherosclerosis onset and
progression. In sum, atherosclerosis animal models remain a vital resource for
expanding our knowledge of the disease and discovering novel treatment approaches.
Keywords: Animal models, Atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular disease, Genetic manipulation, High-fat diet.
