Evaluación de un posible modelo experimental de aterosclerosis carotídea en conejos hipercolesterolémicos

the advantages of an experimental procedure to develop carotid atherosclerosis in rabbits were evaluated. eighteen animals distributed into 3 groups, 6 animals each, were examined. animals were fed with fodder supplemented with 0.5 and 1% of cholesterol (group i and ii respectively) whereas group 3 (control) was given only fodder. biochemical determinations were performed before the experiments and at weeks 4, 8 and 12 after the dietary treatments. the animals′weight in groups i and ii had significantly increased by the 8th week for a p< 0,05;hemoglobin and hematocrit values remained unchanged. cholesterol substantially increased in groups i and ii from the 4th week on. the morphometric study revealed that there were fatty streaks in both carotids of animals included in group 2, which proved the benefits of this experimental model of carotid atherosclerosis